Smokefree Workplaces Survey

Did you know that

• Breathing in other people's smoke increases your risk of a heart attack? 
• Cigarette smoke contains more than 60 chemicals that cause cancer? 
• In the UK, it is estimated that over 600 deaths per year are due to the effects of breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke in the workplace?

Southwark Environmental Health is working with Southwark Primary Care Trust to take an active role in trying to protect workers from other people’s tobacco smoke by encouraging employers to ban smoking in the workplace.

Background to the smokefree survey

The Department of Health has proposed a ban on smoking in public places and workplaces. This proposed ban will not affect licensed premises that do not serve food.

Southwark Council carried out a survey of pubs and bars across Southwark to assess smoking and food service policies.

The survey

A telephone survey was conducted of 188 bars and pubs Southwark.

Conclusions

The number of pubs and bars not serving food was higher than the government had thought. And because of the information given by business owners in the survey, the number is expected to rise significantly.

The number of pubs allowing unrestricted smoking and the number of non food venues was higher in disadvantaged areas. This suggests the proposed government policy of allowing pubs that don't serve food to be places where people can smoke will increase inequalities in smoking and health.

Click here to read our Smokefree Survey (342 kb).

To view this document, you will need Adobe Acrobat software installed on your computer. Click here to go to www.adobe.co.uk and download Adobe Acrobat.

If you would like a printed copy of the Smokefree Survey, please call us on 020 7525 2000, or email environment@southwark.gov.uk.

If you are concerned about smoke in your workplace, please call Ian Farrington on 020 7525 5817 to discuss what support is available to allow your workplace to go smokefree.

Contact us

Southwark Smoke Free Work Places
Environmental Health 
Tel: 020 7525 5817
Fax: 020 7525 5735
ohs@southwark.gov.uk
Environment and Leisure
Chaplin Centre
Thurlow Street
London
SE17 2DG