The more you plan now, the better says Public Health minister

Caroline Flint is under no illusions as to the size of the task ahead of her. As public health minister she is charged with putting England's smoking ban, starting on July 1, into practice.

Quite a task - yet she remains upbeat. "We are excited, but it's a bit scary as well," she says. "We've been told the implementation, in terms of population and in terms of numbers of businesses, is the biggest exercise of its kind in the world."

But speaking to her in her Whitehall office Ms Flint is confident about the legislation and eager to reassure the pub trade that the transition will be smooth.

An introductory brochure has already been sent to 700,000 businesses across the country. In addition, Ms Flint says, for consumers there will be plenty of 'indirect marketing' in terms of advertising and PR that will 'create the right atmosphere as we build up to July'.

"We are also encouraging local authorities to create partnerships with businesses before July 1, which will be very helpful," she adds

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