Website of the Department of Health

Celebrating a year of Smokefree England

A year ago today in England, we took one of the most important steps forward in public health for many years. The smokefree law has from 1st July 2007 made virtually all workplaces and public places free from tobacco smoke. The significance of this law cannot be underestimated, and as a result a significant reduction in secondhand smoke with its damaging health effects has been achieved and we expect many lives will have been saved. I am sure that 1 July 2007 will always remain a historic day for public health in England.

I first called for public places and work places to made smoke-free in my 2002 Annual Report, which was met with considerable hostility as well as support.

The following year, my 2003 Annual Report set out the economic case for smoke-free legislation, and recommended that: ‘Smoke-free workplaces and smoke-free enclosed public places should be created as a priority through legislation.’ I was therefore delighted when, on 14 February 2006, the House of Commons voted, by a massive majority, in favour of legislation to make all enclosed public places and workplaces smoke-free from 1 July 2007.

One year on and the smokefree law has been accepted by the general public and businesses alike, with almost universal compliance from day one. This means that everyone now has the right to enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, healthier environment, free from secondhand smoke.

We could not have achieved this without the tireless work of local authorities, health campaigners and others involved in the implementation of smokefree law, who helped to ensure that everyone knew in good time how the law would affect them. I also pay credit to businesses across the country for taking the implementation of the new law so seriously.

England’s cigarette use is declining, but the smoking epidemic is far from solved. Tobacco kills around 87,000 people annually in England alone and it remains the single greatest cause of preventable illness. Yet still many young people take up the habit each year. 

We must do more if we are to continue to reduce the harm of tobacco use in our communities. Measures such as the introduction of picture pack warnings this autumn and the current consultation on the future of tobacco control are essential to keep up the momentum to create a truly smokefree future.