Smoking ban advice for businesses

Smoking will be banned from 30 March

Businesses are being advised on how to cope with the new smoking ban which comes into force on the Isle of Man next year.

Seminars set up by the DHSS Public Health Directorate will be held at the Villa Marina on 18 and 19 October.

Experts will talk about their experience of the smoke-free laws in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.

The smoking ban comes into force in enclosed public places on the Isle of Man on 30 March 2008.

The Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2006 was passed by Tynwald and received Royal Assent last October.

Ivan Bratty, the department's food safety manager responsible for the implementation of the regulations, said: "In preparation for this legislation coming into effect, we would like to offer support and advice to employers, managers and those in control of premises to enable them to become smoke-free."