Monday December 3 saw 155 smoke free days in Great Yarmouth. Great Yarmouth’s Smoke Free Workplace Coordinator Ivan Clark, employed by the Borough Council to offer guidance to businesses, talks about the new legislation, which generally appears to have been accepted by businesses and customers alike.

Ivan said:” Many people envisaged that the new legislation was going to cause problems for staff and lose businesses money, some have found the new law a challenge but in general the smoke free law has been welcomed with many businesses reporting increased customer levels.

“Compliance levels In Great Yarmouth have been extremely encouraging, with only a few investigations that have proved positive.  This has been mainly through misinterpretations of the legislation by the management.  Due to compliance following our investigations and the possibility of a fine up to £2,500 as a deterrent, we are pleased to report there have been no prosecutions to date.”  

The series of F.A.G (Fresher Air in Great Yarmouth) newsletters have also been a useful source of information to business owners in the run up to July 1.

The Smoke Free Workplace Advisory Service is still available; Ivan or the smoke Free Environment Officer Marie Chesney can be contacted during office hours on 01493 846478 or 01493 846686.

For further information contact Ivan Clark on 01493 846478, 07795 428180 or email ilc@great-yarmouth.gov.uk