NI Smokers Urged To Pack In Their Cigarettes Now
The British Medical Association in NI is urging smokers to use No Smoking Day (14th March) to prepare for 30th April 2007, the day when Northern Ireland goes smokefree. From 30th April this year all enclosed workplaces and public places in Northern Ireland will not allow any smoking.
The BMA’s Chairman in Northern Ireland, Dr Brian Patterson, said today: “The 30th April gives smokers here a real incentive to pack in their cigarettes. Given they will not be able to smoke in virtually all public indoor premises it makes sense to take this a step further and stop all together. Around half of all smokers will die because of their habit. For this reason, as doctors, we are urging smokers to seek help to quit.”
He added: “Bars and restaurants in Northern Ireland should also be gearing up for 30th April – and they don’t have to wait until then to take action. Most of their customers will be only too pleased to be able to eat a meal or have a drink in a smokefree environment sooner rather than later.
”We would also urge all hotels and guest houses to adopt a smokefree policy in their bedrooms. Although under the new legislation they will be able to designate bedroom accommodation as not smokefree, nevertheless these rooms are the workplace of their staff and we believe that all workers should be allowed the right to work in a smokefree environment.”
The implementation of the smokefree legislation will vary for each nation within the UK:
- Wales – 2 April 2007
- Northern Ireland – 30 April 2007
- England – 1 July 2007
- Scotland went smokefree on 26 March 2006
