DoH heralds ‘most important public health legislation for a generation’

The government has welcomed the ban on smoking in public places in England introduced on July 1st 2007, describing it as the most important public health legislation passed for a generation.

Coming into force yesterday, the Health Act 2006 has made it illegal to smoke tobacco in almost all enclosed workplaces and other public spaces in England, including shops, offices, public transport and restaurants, in addition to pubs and clubs.

The Department of Health (DoH) reports that the scientific and medical evidence of the harm caused by passive smoking is a clear one, with there being no safe level of exposure to the toxins from cigarettes.

Alan Johnson, the newly-appointed health secretary, claimed that nearly 80 per cent of the general public support this law in England, while forecasting in a 600,000 drop in smoker numbers following the execution of this legislation.

“We have worked hard over the last seven months to ensure that everyone is aware of the new law, how it affects them and what they need to do,” he said.

“Support has been provided to businesses and individuals by the DoH and local councils and we are confident that England is ready.”

He added that the government will also increase the minimum age for buying tobacco products from 16 to 18 as of October 1st 2007 in order to further protect individuals from the adverse health effects of smoking tobacco.

In March 2007, a DoH-commissioned survey revealed that three-quarters of people believe that the smoking ban will have a positive effect on public health.