As Milton Keynes goes smokefree on July 1, an educational campaign is being launched to remind employers and smokers about the new law banning smoking in public places.
Milton Keynes Council (MKC) is keen to educate employers and smokers about making sure the city's public places remain smokefree now the law is in force.
The no smoking message will be displayed before every film showing at local cinemas; in programmes at MK Theatre and on the back of MK Metro buses.
Council officers will also be carrying out low key visits to selected premises to observe if employers are enforcing the ban.
Advisory letters will be sent out to anyone found breaking the new law and in the first few months staff at Milton Keynes Council will only take enforcement action against persistent offenders.
Phil Winsor, council chief environmental health officer, said: "We want to use enforcement as a tool of last resort as we wish to educate people to follow the law from the outset. We would much prefer if we never had to fine anyone for contravening the law.
"We aim to achieve 100 per cent compliance in MK and want to work with employers and smokers to make sure the law is adhered to."
In Scotland and Ireland the ban has seen widespread acceptance with 98% and 95 % per cent compliance respectively.
All public places including workplaces, shops, restaurants and any enclosed space must remain smokefree including company cars and other vehicles.
All public places must carry no smoking signs or employers risk receiving a fine.
The ban has been made because exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of a non-smoker getting lung cancer or suffering heart disease by up to 25%.
Tobacco smoke, 85% of which is invisible and odourless, carries up to 4,000 chemicals many of which are harmful to health, especially to children.
Cllr Douglas McCall, council cabinet member responsible for environment, said: "It is clear that secondhand smoke causes a serious health risk to everyone; not just smokers.
"That is why the council wholeheartedly supports this ban as we want Milton Keynes to be a healthy place to live and work for everyone in the community.
"Employers and smokers should also ensure that smoking litter is disposed of in the correct way."
To ignore the new smokefree law, is a criminal offence and carries the following penalties:
Smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
Failure to display no-smoking signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the smokefree premises or vehicle. Or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
Failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on whoever manages or controls the smokefree premises or vehicle if prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed penalty notice for this offence.
Dropping smoking-related litter: a fixed penalty notice of £75 can be imposed for this form of litter.
Milton Keynes Council will also be operating a Smokefree hotline for advice and help in making sure the law is enforced. The telephone number is 01908 252398.
A national helpline telephone line on 0800 587 166 7 will also be in operation from July to enable members of the public to report possible breaches of the law.
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