The CIEH is asking for members’ views to help formulate our response to draft regulations to prohibit smoking on ships.
CIEH Principal Policy Officer Ian Gray will be collating responses on behalf of members and making the formal submission to the Department for Transport.
Ian said:
“We welcome these proposals and we want to see them implemented as soon as possible. Ships are workplaces and contain many enclosed public spaces where exposure to second-hand smoke can be a serious problem.”
But the CIEH and the Association of Port Health Authorities (APHA) believe the Government has made a mistake in failing to identify Port Health as an enforcing authority.
APHA Under Secretary Jon Averns said:
“The association is disappointed with the proposal to give enforcement powers solely to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
“We consider that Port Health authorities are ideally placed to enforce the legislation given that they already do so in ports and dock areas and are routinely inspecting vessels for other public health purposes.”
The proposed regulations, made under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, will prohibit smoking on ships where they are operating within the 12 mile UK territory waters. The proposals will apply to all ships which employ at least one member of staff or carry at least one passenger.
Pleasure yachts, motor cruisers and small private fishing vessels would be exempt, as would warships, naval auxiliary and government vessels.
The Master of a ship will be allowed to designate areas for smoking, which may include smoking cabins, but smoking will be prohibited anywhere else on board. The regulations would apply whenever the ship is in UK waters – however, the government would like to see companies taking a proactive approach and implementing the policy on board UK registered ships wherever they are in the world.
To read the draft regulations, draft fixed penalty notice and impact assessment click here.
The consultation closing date is 9 October 2009. CIEH members are asked to forward their views to i.gray@cieh.org.