ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
PLANNING, TOURISM AND LEISURE SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE – 28 JULY 2003
Smoking in Wight Leisure
licensed facilities
REPORT OF THE MANAGING
DIRECTOR OF WIGHT LEISURE
1. Members are being asked to consider the current operational policy that allows customers and staff to smoke in the bars at the Heights and Medina Leisure Centre and to support the recommendation to implement a no smoking policy within the bars.
ACTION
REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE
1. To receive the information in support of the
proposed operational policy change
2. To determine whether or not to make a
recommendation to the Portfolio Holder in relation to the proposed Policy
change.
BACKGROUND
2. The current operational policy allows smoking within the bar areas at The Heights and Medina Leisure Centre. Over the period of the last 12 months a significant amount of public health information has been issued with regard to the effects of smoking, including passive smoking. We have received an increased number of complaints from customers with regard to the policy of allowing smoking in these areas. Concerns have also been raised by members of staff employed to work within the bars regarding their working environment.
3. In light of the above we consider it appropriate to review the policy at this time and make recommendations for the future. Consideration has been given to customer satisfaction and the general health and well-being of our staff.
5. We have received details
from the Air Improves Results (AIR) and have taken the following information:
1) On 14 September 1999 the Public Places Charter on Smoking was launched by the hospitality industry. This charter is based on an agreement between the key hospitality associations (including the Publican magazine and British Institute of Innkeepers) and the Government, which was set out in last year’s White Paper on tobacco control. This Charter is not law, but a voluntary agreement that sets out
2) measures to ensure that customers can make informed choices about the environment they wish to eat and drink in. The Charter is intended to improve choice so that potential customers can identify if a venue provides smoking, non-smoking or ventilated areas. The Charter is designed to encourage venues to improve the provision for non-smokers and the overall air quality. Outlets are required to formalise their smoking policy and display the relevant Charter “smoking policy” signs near the customer entrance. Written details of the policy must be made available to customers and staff. Staff must also be adequately trained to carry out the policy.
3) There has been much debate within the trade that improved specialist ventilation systems are an option that considerably improve the air quality, although does not remove the smoke altogether.
4) Opinion in the licensing business is currently mixed. Some state that to remove smoking would hit trade by up to half, but some organisations have seen an increase in income by banning smoking. (Trade increases are more relevant in outlets that supply restaurant and food services.) AIR commented that there has been an increase of an average of 32% in income when treating stale air, or banning smoking altogether, in the case of where food is served and eaten. Even in venues that do not sell food, making the air cleaner can have a dramatic effect on income. In four of the AIR test sites the changes paid for themselves in just over ten weeks.
5) In venues where the effect on income is less dramatic, owners and operators have agreed that cleaner air is an important part of a more professional approach.
6) Another very important point to take into consideration is that our staff spend more of their time in our facilities than customers, so we have a duty of care to provide them with a safe and clean environment.
Leisure Centres are associated with health, fitness and well-being and operational policies should reflect this wherever possible. There it is now recommended that a no smoking policy be implemented after a period of notice of say one month for customer information.
There is a considerable amount of information which has been research from the Department of Health website in support of this recommendation.
6. The service delivery for
these sites are contained within the Wight Leisure Service Plan, which form
part of the Education & Community Development & Tourism Service
Plans. The service directly contributes
to three of the six Council corporate objectives.
CONSULTATION PROGRESS
7. Written and verbal complaints have been received from customers at both facilities. Non-smoking members of staff have also expressed concern at the atmosphere in which they are asked to work. Customer talkback cards have also been received on a regular basis requesting that smoking be banned.
8. A mini-survey has been undertaken at each of the centres (40) with regard to customer opinion concerning the current policy and whether tbar trends are likely to change if a new policy of no smoking was to be implemented.
9. The results show that 15% of existing customers are smokers and of that percentage 5% have said they may not utilise the bar facility at all and 10% said they would probably still use the facility but for a shorter time. Of the remainder 20% said the environment would be more comfortable and would encourage them to stay longer. 5% were not using the bar area at all due to the stale air and would consider using the facility in the future if a no smoking policy were to be introduced.
10. The introduction of a no smoking policy is therefore not considered to adversely affect the levels of income, indeed it may result in an increased use of the area.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER
IMPLICATIONS
11. The Action on Smoking and Health group (ASH) say that “Some operators in the hospitality industry fear a ban on smoking would affect trade, however, research in countries where complete smoking bans have been introduced, such as America and Australia, shows profits have actually increased.”
12. The income for Wight Leisure bars for the 2001/2002 financial year was Heights £23,700 and Medina £26,650. For the financial year 2002/2003 Heights £21,270 and Medina £23,331.
13. A minimum capital expenditure of £2,000 per site would be required if improved ventilation systems were to be installed as an option instead of implementing a complete ban.
14. The HSE in their news release “Passive smoking at work” state, that public attitudes towards smoking are changing. People have become more aware of serious health risks faced by smokers themselves and are increasingly concerned about the health effects and discomfort other people’s tobacco smoke causes. Only about 30 per cent of the adult population smokes and the trend currently now is downwards.
15. Under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable the health, safety and welfare of their employees. This means that if a risk to health can be demonstrated (for example if a worker with a respiratory condition is forced to work in a smoky atmosphere which may make the condition worse), the employer must take action to deal with the risk. Under the Workplace Regulations 1992, employers have to ensure that there are arrangements to protect non-smokers from discomfort caused by tobacco smoke in rest rooms and rest areas.
None
BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Correspondence from customers
Customer talkback cards
Mini survey results
Contact point : Annie Horne,
Managing Director, Wight Leisure ( 823350
ANNIE
HORNE
Managing Director