Smoking ban in Britain

In March 2005, the British Ministry of Health published the White Paper on Public Health, promising to gradually ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars that can provide catering services in four years. In order to achieve this goal, the government first passed legislation to ban smoking. According to the bill passed by the British House of Commons, smoking will be banned in all public places in England from July 1 this year. Smokers in non-smoking areas will be fined 50 pounds; Places without "No Smoking" signs will be fined 200 to 1000; Business owners in non-smoking places will be fined up to 2500 pounds if they don't quit smoking. Previously, smoking bans were implemented in Scotland and Northern Ireland in March 2006 and March this year. Secondly, strictly restrict and manage tobacco sales. At the beginning of 2003, the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Restriction Act implemented in Britain stipulated that tobacco companies were prohibited from sponsoring various sports events in the form of trademarks. After June 2006, all activities that directly or indirectly encourage the expansion of tobacco consumption, such as tobacco advertising and publicity, were completely banned except introducing tobacco to buyers in tobacco trade. Third, tobacco taxes are constantly increasing. After 1998, the tobacco tax in Britain increased by 5% annually on average. At present, the taxes and fees levied by the British government on tobacco account for 80% of the tobacco price, ranking second in the world. Fourth, raise the legal age for buying cigarettes. On 1 month/day this year, the British government announced that it would raise the legal age for buying cigarettes in England and Wales from 1 6 to 18 in1month this year to reduce the number of young smokers. Fifth, strengthen smoking cessation. Specific measures include: providing free counseling and free smoking cessation drugs for those who intend to quit smoking, cooperating with pharmaceutical companies to develop smoking cessation drugs, and providing free nicotine substitutes for smokers who intend to quit smoking but are addicted to cigarettes, especially pregnant women. Sixth, intensify efforts to crack down on cigarette smuggling. Customs officials are free to inspect tobacco retail stores and have the right to sue dealers who sell smuggled cigarettes. At present, the anti-smoking action has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in Britain. Polls show that nearly 90% non-smokers support the anti-smoking law; 99% of business owners said that they are ready for the implementation of the ban; About 40% of smokers intend to quit smoking as soon as possible.