AN anti-smoking campaign group has warned publicans and other businesses not to rush out and install shelters for smokers ahead of next summer's ban.
Last week, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced that July 1 is the date when a ban on smoking in enclosed public places comes into effect, including pubs, clubs and other workplaces.
Now, Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, the campaign group for a Smoke-Free North-East, has said businesses in the region would be well advised to wait until full official guidelines are published next year.
She said: "Don't rush out and put up smoking shelters. Some that are up already may become illegal and will then have to be taken down.
"The sensible thing is to wait until the Government publishes further details.
"At the moment, the draft regulations suggest a shelter can have a roof but at least 50 per cent of the sides must be open to the elements," said Ms Rutter.
Another concern during winter is publicans trying to heat outdoor smoking areas.
She said. "Many of these shelters are lethal in terms of flammability. The last thing you want as a landlord is being sued for something like that."
All businesses will have to display no smoking signs at every entrance.
Smokers lighting up in pubs or other enclosed places will be fined £50 for a first offence with a maximum £200 for cases that reach court.
Owners of licensed premises and other businesses will face a maximum fine of £2,500 for breaking the ban.
In Darlington, the recently-opened William Stead pub prepared for the ban by building a semi-enclosed patio area for smokers.
However, existing shelters provided for smokers at Darlington Memorial Hospital are to be removed next year as the NHS trust becomes a smoke-free site.
Jason Hadlow, who runs Leeming Bar furniture store Simply Dutch, said: "We have had several publicans in clutching their heads and wondering what they are going to do."
Mr Hadlow has already sold a number of gazebos, car ports and patio tents to publicans.
For information about the changes, visit smokefreeengland.co.uk or ring 0800-1691697.
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