Health Minister Caroline Flint has launched the 100 day countdown to the smoking ban in England.
The minister has encouraged pubs to get prepared for the ban which comes into force on July 1. The Department of Health (DoH) is sending out guidance and no-smoking signs to every business across the country to help them prepare for the ban.
A snapshot survey carried out by the DoH has revealed that more then three-quarters of businesses are aware of the new legislation.
Caroline Flint said: "On July 1, all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smokefree, a measure supported by the majority of people in this country.
"We are now entering an important period, when all businesses should start preparing for compliance. They should be removing all smoking rooms and start putting up no smoking signs. We are confident that with the support being provided by the Department of Health and by local councils, everyone should be ready in time."
Carol Undy, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "With just 100 days to go until smoke-free legislation comes into effect in England, now is the time for businesses to make sure they know what they need to do to comply with the law.
"The Federation of Small Businesses welcomes the publication of this guidance which will help to focus the minds of businesses and provide them with the information and support they need to make an easy transition into smokefree working."
Other results of the DoH survey:
- 74 per cent of the overall population support the legislation
- 77 per cent of all businesses are aware of the legislation
- 65 per cent of the population say that the legislation will not affect how often they go to the pub and 15 per cent of the overall population say they will go more often
- 75 per cent of the overall population believe that going smokefree will have a positive effect on health.