THOUSANDS of businesses across South Lakeland are being encouraged to start making preparations now for the introduction of new smoke-free regulations this summer.

South Lakeland District Council has been granted £2,000 from the Department of Health to promote smoke-free legislation.

An information flyer is being distributed to more than 6,000 local businesses informing them of the new law which comes into effect on July 1. Regulations made under the Health Act 2006 will make virtually all indoor workplaces and public places smoke free - including work vehicles used by more than one person.

The aim is to encourage healthier environments and protect people from second-hand smoke.

SLDC is tasked with enforcing the regulations on behalf of the Government but also wants to encourage business owners to understand their responsibilities to ensure they do not fall foul of the new law. Penalties for failing to prevent smoking in a public place are up to £2,500 on conviction, while smoking in a smoke-free place carries a £50 fixed penalty fine, or up to £200 on conviction.

SLDC environmental health manager Simon Rowley said: "We want to help businesses in South Lakeland to identify what they need to do in order to comply with this new legislation and ensure that they know where to go for advice.

"Experience in other countries where smoke-free legislation has been introduced shows that promotion and publicity prior to the law is key to ensuring good compliance.

"Local authorities must enforce these regulations but we want to ensure everyone is prepared for July 1 to avoid them being in breach of the new laws when they come into force."

For more information and to receive direct updates and resources, business owners can register on a special website - www.smokefreeengland.co.uk - or contact smoke-free England information on 0800-1691697.

The SLDC website also has a dedicated section providing advice about what people and businesses should do.

It can be accessed at www.south lakeland.gov.uk by following the links through community, food, health and safety and smoke-free regulations.