From the Dover Mercury, 1 March 2007.

Smoking ban puts council under pressure.

THE district council is having to work out how it will manage to enforce no smoking legislation when it becomes law in the summer.

Council leader Paul Watkins says the Government has allocated funds to bring in the new no smoking laws, but that Dover, like many other councils, is already out of pocket after taking over licensing responsibilities for pubs and clubs from magistrates.

This year, all councils will have two new licensing functions which they are responsible for enforcing. The first is the ban on smoking in public places, which comes into effect on July 1.

The second involves new gambling regulations which take effect in September.

It will be the responsibility of the council's environmental health team to police the no-smoking rule.

Much of the council's work is now taken up with raising awareness among managers of licensed premises, and staff in any building that is defined as a public place under the act.

For example, smoking will also be illegal in taxis and taxi offices. Individual taxi drivers who like to light up in their cars will no longer be able to do so.

There are also fines, which the council will have to administer. Being caught smoking in a public place as defined by the act, will carry a £50 fine, which could rise to £200 if appeal is unsuccessful. If an owner fails to prevent someone lighting up, the fine could rise to £2,500.

Under the Gambling Act, councils will have to begin regulating premises licensed for gambling, from September. There are around 200 venues in the Dover district ranging from betting shops, bingo halls to amusement arcades, which will need regulating.

ROADSHOW DATE

A ROAD SHOW informing people about the new smoke-free legislation takes place on March 14.

March 14 is also national No Smoking Day.

The road-show, in Market Square, Dover, will feature advice from the district council, NHS Stop Smoking and Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

People can get advice on how to stop smoking as well as find out where it will be illegal to smoke after July 1.

The road-show will run from 11am to 3pm.

From the Dover Mercury 7 June 2007.

Pick up a guide to going smoke free.

WITH the new legislation banning smoking in most public places coming into force on July I, the meeting debated feedback it had received from members.

It was thought that implementation of the law will place an unfair burden on traders. Having looked into the matter, the chamber is inclined to agree with this view, particularly with regard to the level of the penalties, as they can be very severe on businesses that transgress.

Nevertheless, we are where we are. The Government has made the laws and regulations, fixed the penalties and we must all do our very best to abide by them.

Please don't blame the team at Dover District Council who have been charged with enforcement by the Government.

They are resolved to being as helpful as possible to ensure that we all comply and have offered to speak at one of our meetings and to answer questions if we so wish. Do let us know if you would find this useful and we will arrange it.

In the meantime, they have issued a guide on Going Smoke Free and while many businesses should have received full guidance packs by post, information on our responsibilities under the regulations can be obtained in the first place from the Smoke Free England information line on 0800 169 1697, or the official website www.smokefreeengland.co.uk. The public protection team at Dover District Council can also offer further guidance and they can be contacted on 01304 872216.

From the Dover Mercury, 14 June 2007. By Mary Graham

Pubs and clubs 'ready for the big stub-out'

DOVER'S pubs and clubs are well prepared to cope with next month's smoking ban, according to the council's licensing manager.

With less than two weeks to go until the ban, Tony Bartlett says publicans are adapting well, but he is not so sure about the taxi trade.

From July 1 it will be illegal to smoke in any public place.

Pubs and restaurants could send their customers outside to smoke, but if any courtyard or beer garden has a roof or walls on three sides, it is defined as "enclosed" and smokers will not be able to light up.

From July 1, the days of sitting in a smoke-filled taxi office or getting into an ash-ridden cab are also over.

"We have not heard much feedback from the taxi trade as to what steps they are taking to meet this," Mr Bartlett said.

Offices

The other huge area the ban applies to is any workplace used by a member of the public.

Offices will have to get rid of their indoor smoking areas, and if smokers light up outside, their smoke must not filter back inside.

Mr Bartlett also revealed that a smoking shelter at the district council offices in Whitfield has had to be modified, so council workers, some of whom will enforce the ban, can still have their cigarettes.

He added that the council would not be unnecessarily harsh on anyone breaching the ban.