Wokingham

Wokingham Buses will be just the ticket for the smokefree message as Wokingham Borough Council unveils new advertising to promote the forthcoming smokefree legislation. Buses travelling through the Wokingham borough will be carrying the message that the Wokingham borough goes smoke free from July 1. The council received £71,000 from the government to promote the new legislation coming into effect next week. And on Friday June 29, the council’s executive member for community safety Cllr Barrie Patman will be getting a close-up on the message when one of the buses makes a special stop at Shute End. Wokingham Cllr Patman said: “A great deal of work has already been carried out with businesses in the borough to make sure that they are aware of the new legislation, what it means for them and how they should be preparing for it. “With the legislation now immediately imminent, this new advertising, entirely funded through government money, will make sure that people in the Wokingham borough are aware. Backing the national campaign, I really hope that people will take notice of the advertising and help the transition to the new legislation go as smoothly as possible.” The legislation comes into effect on Sunday July 1 and virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces in England will become smokefree. This will include Wokingham offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. The law will also mean that indoor workplace smoking rooms will disappear, so anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside instead. Essentially, the legislation allows for almost all workers, regardless of their place of work, to be protected against the risks to health caused by exposure to tobacco smoke and guaranteed the right to smoke-free air. In the Wokingham borough, council officers have been working to make sure that all affected premises know what the legislation means for them. A successful series of business seminars was held in March with neighbouring authorities Reading Borough and West Berkshire Councils, including issuing an information sheet to some 4,000 businesses. Detailed information is available on the council website and staff have been visiting premises to inform them of the legislation and explain what it means. Taxi drivers have also received information specific to them. This work will continue as the legislation comes into effect. Wokingham Borough Council