GIVING UP smoking might top the list of most popular New Year resolutions, but more than half of us will have broken whatever promises we made ourselves before January is out. Landmark public-health legislation due later this year means employers will not have the same luxury. Any failure to follow through on their intention to keep workplaces smoke-free will attract penalties. On 1 July, England will follow the examples of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland and bring in legislation on smoking in enclosed public places. The Welsh Assembly plans to introduce similar legislation on 2 April, and Northern Ireland is expected to follow suit on 30 April. With very few exceptions, all workplaces must be smoke-free or employers face prosecution.
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