The Construction Centre Sees Rise in Searches as UK Responds to New Smoking Ban Laws

Kenilworth, United Kingdom, May 23, 2007 --(PR.com)-- The legislation affects all business and public places which have what is termed as, enclosed areas. These areas must by law, be smoke free from July and signs should indicate clearly that smoking is prohibited. This is one of the most dramatic social changes to occur in the UK for many years and will affect many venues traditionally associated with smoking, such as bars and nightclubs, restaurants and cafes. Much of the UK has welcomed the law with the medical consequences of smoking and passive smoking having been widely publicised over the last few years.

It is estimated that 70% of all smokers would like to give up and with the new restrictions and continual price increases it will become harder for smokers to simply light up at any time. Local councils are responsible for enforcing the new law and fines will range from on the spot £50.00 fines for smoking in a restricted area and up to £2500.00 for owners who have allowed smoking to occur on their premises.

Many businesses will have to change their current smoking policies and remove any indoor smoking rooms or areas where smoking is currently allowed within a building. Many firms who have a significant number of smokers on their workforce have already installed smoking pods or shelters outside. Businesses will also have to ensure that all public areas within the building are clearly signposted “no smoking”.

The Construction Centre is a website directory delivering results to the building industry on products and people and has seen a vast increase in searches on their website for smoking shelters and signage companies.

Richard Simmons, Managing Director at The Construction Centre said “The UK’s attitude has changed dramatically over the last 30 years with regard to smoking. There has been a significant increase in public awareness about the damaging effects of smoking and a decrease in tolerance from the non-smoking population which has made these new laws inevitable. Time is running out for businesses and particularly for pubs and nightclubs, which need to find effective solutions to the ban on indoor smoking. We have seen an increase in searches on our website for decking, balustrades, smoking pods and shelters, terraces and benches which would indicate a last minute rush to provide outdoor smoking areas.”

The new laws come in to effect on July 1st 2007 and more information can be found at the government run website smokefreeengland.co.uk. If you need to find products in order to comply with the new legislation, visit The Construction Centre website

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Notes for Editors:

The Construction Centre: Number 1 for delivering results on products and people

Targeted at consumers and the building industry, The Construction Centre is an encyclopedic directory containing over 10,000 UK product manufacturers. Additionally there are over 50,000 contact details for merchants, industry professionals, tradesmen and contractors. Local Authority planning websites, trade publications and jobs can also be directly accessed from The Construction Centre.

Based in Warwickshire The Construction Centre is part of the UK250 Ltd group.