I’ve been looking forward to this day for years, I like many people hate the feeling you get after a night out when you stink of smoke and even after a shower it’s still there inside you. The punishment of a sore throat should be a thing of the past.

Today England goes Smokefree. It’s now a criminal office to smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces from 0600 July 1st 2007. Places include bars, cafes, lunch rooms, membership clubs nightclubs, pubs and shopping centres is against the law.

Individuals lighting up illegally will face a fine of £50 (£30 if paid within 15 days or upto £200 if the case goes to court ). Business owners are liable for two separate offences (’failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place’ and ‘failing to display no-smoking signs’) and could face fines of up to £2,500.

It’s the responsability of Local councils to enforce the law but you can help by alerting the businiess owners. You can also report it to your local council or phone the Smokefree Compliance Line on 0800 587 166 7.

The law has been introduced to protect people from second-hand smoke which causes and estimate 600 deaths a year. Hopefully the ban will also encourage smokers to give it up. I really hope the ban gets through to people as I’m pretty sick of people lighting up on the train station platfoms. Now that the bussiness owners are accountable we should see an active policing.