THE NEW SMOKEFREE LAW

Members are reminded that the Government has introduced legislation to prevent smoking in workplaces and premises where members of the public congregate. This is enacted in what is known as “THE NEW SMOKERFREE LAW”, which comes into force on 1^st July 2007.

The main committee has discussed this Law and confirmed that it is applicable to the Club House, on the grounds that it is a workplace for our volunteer staff and that members of the public are invited in from time to time.

From 1^st July 2007, failure to comply with this Law will be a criminal offence. It will also be a criminal offence for anybody who manages or controls the premises to allow somebody to smoke within them. The law applies to anything that can be smoked, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, herbal cigarettes or water pipes (hookahs).

The committee has also determined that the No Smoking zone should cover the entire Club House, including the race cabin, the external staircase, the balcony and the boatswain’s store. Although the staircase and balcony are not substantially enclosed, smoke from these areas might, in some circumstances, be blown into the enclosed premises. The Law also applies to temporary structures, such as marquees.

You are further reminded that, for your own safety and that of others, smoking is forbidden within a five metre radius of the fuel store and on or around the safety boats, whenever engines or fuel tanks are fitted to them.

In order to comply with the Law, the club is required to display approved No Smoking signs in specific places. Please respect these signs and point them out to anybody who smokes or attempts to smoke in forbidden areas.

Paul Fuller

Commodore

4^th June 2007