A NEW SCHEME is being launched to reward businesses who go beyond the letter of the law in promoting a smoke free environment.
The IW Council, IW NHS Primary Care Trust and the IW Chamber of Commerce Tourism and Industry, together working as the Healthy Business Partnership, are promoting the new scheme that they hope could lead to the Island being a UK leader in terms of being free of cigarette smoke.
They hope that the Island’s tourism industry will make a particular effort to promote their whole site premises as being smoke-free.
From the 1st July it became an offence to smoke in substantially enclosed public places or workplaces. The vast majority of premises have complied with those requirements but now the HBP is seeking to encourage businesses to go even further by choosing to designate their whole site, including outside spaces, as smoke free.
Diana Tuson, IW Council cabinet member for Safer Communities, said: “Island businesses and the public have responded very well indeed to the requirements of the smoke free legislation and compliance levels are very high. We now feel that those businesses that are willing to take that extra step should be recognised and supported.
“The scheme seeks to reward those businesses who manage to do that little extra to keep our environment healthier and cleaner.”
Businesses who meet the criteria of the Smoke Free Award will be eligible to receive an attractive plaque to display on their premises.
It is hoped that by displaying their plaques, businesses will not only receive the recognition they deserve, but also attract more customers to their smoke free site premises. This success, it is envisaged, will encourage others to join the scheme.
HBP chairman Kevin Smith urged all businesses to take part and made a particular appeal to the holiday trade.
He said: “Wouldn’t it be a wonderful if the IW could become the UK’s first destination where every hotel had earned the Smoke Free Award? It would give the Island yet another unique selling point and also fit very well in with the Eco Island concept. ”
Carol Foley, IW NHS Primary Care Trust specialist smoking cessation officer said: “We are pleased to support this Award Scheme which encourages businesses to go whole site smoke free. With the summer approaching, gardens and outside spaces will be much more attractive to families if they are free from the smoke and litter caused by smoking.
“The Smokefree legislation has encouraged many smokers to really think about having that cigarette.
“It has encouraged many smokers to consider quitting. Any effort that helps to reduce smoking is a good thing.”
Four businesses that already meet the Smoke Free Award Criteria will be presented with their plaques at the Island Expo trade fair at Cowes Yacht Haven on February 27. The presentation will take place at noon.
