Your Council working with you to create a healthier environment

Hull breathes more easily

Smoke-filled rooms are a thing of the past as people throughout the city give their full support to the smoking ban

Hull City Council's health and safety manager Trevor Todd is working with Hull businesses to ensure they comply with the smoke-free regulations

It's now 18 months since government legislation made it illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed workplaces and public places in England.
What was hailed as the biggest change in public health law for 50 years meant places such as nightclubs, betting shops, residential homes, warehouses, and offices had to become completely smoke-free.
It resulted in the now familiar sight of smokers huddling in doorways for a cigarette, or sitting in one of the many smoking shelters which have sprung up outside pubs and restaurants across the city.
The aim of the 'Smoke-free England' law was to protect workers and the general public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, and its good intentions have led to an almost 100 per cent compliance across the city.

Stubbing it out

Even before the law came into force, Hull City Council's health and safety team visited public places and workplaces to give advice and information about the changes ahead.
And since the law was introduced (on July 1 2007) the inspections and visits have continued to ensure it is being complied with.
So far, out of 2,121 businesses premises visited, 99 per cent have been found to be completely free of smoke, and health and safety officers have had to issue just eight fixed penalty notices for smoking in a public place.
"We are finding it's a popular law and many businesses and ordinary people are enjoying the benefits of cleaner and healthier public places and workplaces," says Cllr Dave Woods, who has responsibility for the environment in the city.
"It's pleasing to see we have achieved such a high compliance rate and hopefully this will have the added benefit of helping even more people stop smoking.
"I'd like to thank businesses and the public for making it such a success."

It's good to quit

Daryl Sheldrake (pictured) is one of many Hull residents who have quit since the smoking ban came into action.
He gave up the habit with help from the Hull and East Riding Stop Smoking Service.
The free services it offers local people include one-to-one support, group-based sessions, telephone advice and 12 weeks worth of free nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum and lozenges.
"I wanted to stop for health and financial reasons but I noticed how more and more people were giving up smoking," said Daryl, who smoked 15-20 cigarettes a day for 26 years before he quit last year.
"The group sessions worked for me because it meant I could share tips and ideas with other people.
"Everyone is different and you have to find what works for you, but there are lots of options you can choose from.
"Since I stopped smoking my overall health has improved and my skin and sense of smell are better. It wasn't easy but it was worth it."

Brand new start

January is always a busy time for the service as people looking for a healthy start to the New Year join one of the stop smoking programmes held at 30 venues in the region.
The service has helped more than 1,000 people quit over the last year, and, in response to growing demand, is expanding its range of support by providing walk-in services (which don't require appointments) at nine venues across Hull and the East Riding.
"Smokers who want to quit can contact us whenever they are ready," says tobacco control development officer Coral Hinchliffe.
"We do not wag a finger in judgement but give smokers the advice and support they need to quit the habit for good."

Tips to help you quit contact your local stop smoking service – you are four times more likely to quit if you do set a quit date, tell family and friends, and ask for their support make your home a smoke-free zone don't ever think one more cigarette won't hurt – it will drink water when you crave a cigarette as this can make the feeling pass reward yourself with new clothes or an evening out with the money you save by not buying cigarettes count the cost – there's a £200 fine or £50 fixed penalty notice for people found smoking in a smoke-free area

info

For further information on quitting call the Hull and East Riding NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 915 5959, text 'QUIT' to 81800 or visit www.smokesnojoke.com For more information on the smoking ban go to www.smokefreeengland.co.uk