NI businesses comply with smoking ban

Nearly all businesses in Northern Ireland have stuck to the smoking ban, say councils.

Staff from the 26 district councils have found a 99.5 per cent compliance with the ban, which has been in force for a month.

Of 17,393 of inspections by 266 environmental health staff, only 0.5 per cent of businesses were found to be non-compliant for no smoking requirements and 4.5 per cent for no smoking signage.

The majority of non-compliance was related to smoking shelters. Following guidance from a environmental health officer, many businesses and workplaces are now in the process of making amendments to enable external smoking areas to become compliant.

Those businesses who failed to display no smoking signs have been provided with them and reminded they could face a £200 fixed penalty notice if they do not put them up. In addition, 65 warning letters have been issued.

In cases where premises were not smoke free or smoking shelters were found to be non-compliant, verbal warnings were given and 42 written warnings issued.

Sam Knox, chairman of the Chief Environmental Health Officers Group NI (CEHOG), said: "Environmental health departments across NI will continue to provide a supportive environment for businesses and others to comply with the legislation."

Michael McGimpsey, health minister, said: "People in Northern Ireland have fully embraced the legislation, meaning we are now all benefiting from a cleaner and healthier environment in which to work and relax. I have every confidence that we will maintain a high level of compliance and we can look forward to a healthier future."

The ban came into force on 30 April 2007.