Menu
13/12/2007
Inspections Enforce Smoking Ban
Seven months after the introduction of the UK-wide smoking ban, a dozen businesses in Belfast have been hit for breaking the law.
A recent Belfast City Council pre-Christmas crackdown resulted in council officials inspected more than 450 premises – discovering that smoking laws were still being broken.
While most of the offences were structurally related, rather than an out-and-out flouting of the law, officers were accepting no excuses and also found evidence of people smoking inside buildings themselves.
Officials visited hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and bingo halls in the city as part of the inspection and found that people were smoking in entrance halls or smoking shelters that were – crucially - more than 50% enclosed - and therefore illegal.
These businesses will be revisited by officers and sent warning letters.
The officers also checked that the appropriate signs warning people of the law were displayed at the entrances.
Councillor Cathal Mullaghan, Chairman of the Council's Health and Environmental Services Committee, said: "As part of the weekend blitz, our officers checked to ensure that premises were remaining smoke free and that any smoking shelters provided for customers were in compliance with the required 50% rule."
Cllr Mullaghan added: "With the party season in full swing, coupled with the winter months and the associated cold and wet weather, it is important for premises to ensure that there is continued compliance with the legislation.
"Officers will continue to monitor compliance with the smoke-free legislation.
"Monitoring also will be included as part of routine inspections for other environmental health legislation such as food safety and health safety," he said.
(BMcC)
A recent Belfast City Council pre-Christmas crackdown resulted in council officials inspected more than 450 premises – discovering that smoking laws were still being broken.
While most of the offences were structurally related, rather than an out-and-out flouting of the law, officers were accepting no excuses and also found evidence of people smoking inside buildings themselves.
Officials visited hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and bingo halls in the city as part of the inspection and found that people were smoking in entrance halls or smoking shelters that were – crucially - more than 50% enclosed - and therefore illegal.
These businesses will be revisited by officers and sent warning letters.
The officers also checked that the appropriate signs warning people of the law were displayed at the entrances.
Councillor Cathal Mullaghan, Chairman of the Council's Health and Environmental Services Committee, said: "As part of the weekend blitz, our officers checked to ensure that premises were remaining smoke free and that any smoking shelters provided for customers were in compliance with the required 50% rule."
Cllr Mullaghan added: "With the party season in full swing, coupled with the winter months and the associated cold and wet weather, it is important for premises to ensure that there is continued compliance with the legislation.
"Officers will continue to monitor compliance with the smoke-free legislation.
"Monitoring also will be included as part of routine inspections for other environmental health legislation such as food safety and health safety," he said.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 November 2011
No Smoking Day Details Outlined
A conference has heard that smokers across Northern Ireland are to be again urged to break free from their smoking habit. That was the challenge set this week by the No Smoking Day team and the Ulster Cancer Foundation at a regional conference to brief health professionals in preparation for No Smoking Day – Wednesday 14th March 2012.
No Smoking Day Details Outlined
A conference has heard that smokers across Northern Ireland are to be again urged to break free from their smoking habit. That was the challenge set this week by the No Smoking Day team and the Ulster Cancer Foundation at a regional conference to brief health professionals in preparation for No Smoking Day – Wednesday 14th March 2012.
13 December 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes 'Ongoing Success' Of Enhanced Stalking Protections The Alliance Party has welcomed the "ongoing success" of Northern Ireland's enhanced stalking protections.
Other News In Brief
Alliance Welcomes 'Ongoing Success' Of Enhanced Stalking Protections The Alliance Party has welcomed the "ongoing success" of Northern Ireland's enhanced stalking protections.
17 December 2019
Make It Your New Year's Resolution To Stop Smoking
As the New Year approaches, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to make a resolution worth keeping – to quit smoking. The agency has launched a mass media campaign to encourage people to stop smoking and highlight the free quit services that are available across Northern Ireland.
Make It Your New Year's Resolution To Stop Smoking
As the New Year approaches, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to make a resolution worth keeping – to quit smoking. The agency has launched a mass media campaign to encourage people to stop smoking and highlight the free quit services that are available across Northern Ireland.
29 January 2020
Belfast Bar Breaches Smoke-Free Legislation
The owners of the Perch Rooftop bar in Belfast have been fined £1,000 for failing to comply with smoke-free legislation. In the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland, the designated beer garden at the premises was found to be substantially enclosed.
Belfast Bar Breaches Smoke-Free Legislation
The owners of the Perch Rooftop bar in Belfast have been fined £1,000 for failing to comply with smoke-free legislation. In the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland, the designated beer garden at the premises was found to be substantially enclosed.
09 March 2016
Seven People Died In Smoking Related House Fires Last Year
Seven people died in house fires caused by smoking materials last year, according to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS). Fire crews also attended 69 accidental blazes caused by smoking.
Seven People Died In Smoking Related House Fires Last Year
Seven people died in house fires caused by smoking materials last year, according to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS). Fire crews also attended 69 accidental blazes caused by smoking.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
