Council is right to be pro-active on smoke free legislation

Ballymena SDLP councillor Declan O’Loan has commended the Environmental Health Department of Ballymena Borough Council for its pro-active approach to the smoke free legislation, which comes into force on 30^th April.

He commented, “The Council is the enforcement authority for this legislation. I commend the Environmental Health Department for organising seminars for all businesses, especially pubs, clubs, restaurants and snooker halls. It is important that all businesses know exactly what the law is, and that it will be enforced.

I support the new law. It will contribute to health improvement in relation to heart disease, strokes, asthma, and lung cancer.

I believe that the law will be rapidly accepted. There is widespread support for it.

I hope too that many smokers will take the opportunity to stop smoking. I know that happened in the south of Ireland .  I know from personal experience how hard it is to get rid of the smoking habit. But stopping smoking is a huge contributor to health.”