A breath of fresh air

The biggest ever change to social life has finally arrived. As of Sunday 1st July almost all enclosed public and work places in England have to be smokefree. It is now against the law to smoke in the indoor parts of places such as pubs, bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants, lunch rooms, membership clubs and shopping centres.

At work, smoking inside has become a thing of the past, and indoor smoking rooms are no longer be allowed.

Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person also need to be smokefree and no-smoking signs have to be displayed in all smokefree premises and vehicles.

Wigan, like other councils, has been given the job of enforcing the new law. The council has been working closely with businesses to help ensure that everyone knows what they need to do to become smokefree.

If someone is smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle, you should alert the manager or the person in charge of the premises or vehicle in the first instance. Alternatively you can contact the national Smokefree Compliance Line on 0800 587 166 7 to make a report. This information will be passed to Wigan Council to follow up as appropriate.