MAY 31 is World No Tobacco Day and the council is calling for all residents and businesses to help Hillingdon go smoke free.

World No Tobacco Day is led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and this year's focus is on smoke-free environments in support of the new legislation coming into effect from the July 1.

Under the new law smoking inside will become a thing of the past and it will be illegal to smoke in public places and workplaces such as pubs, bars, nightclubs, cafes, restaurants, lunch rooms, membership clubs and shopping centres. Public transport and work vehicles (including company cars) used by more than one person must also be smokefree.

Businesses will also be required to put up signs in entrance ways to comply with the new law as well as ensure their vehicles have the necessary signage.

Kathy Sparks, deputy director of environment and consumer protection, said: "If people are unsure about what the smoke-free legislation is all about, please get in contact with the council. We will be putting every effort into making sure that we provide the necessary support and guidance to smokers, residents and businesses in Hillingdon."

Scotland was the first in the UK to introduce the smoking legislation on March 26, 2006.

However, with more than 3.7million businesses and workplaces in England directly affected, this will be the largest implementation of smoke-free legislation in the world to date. For more information on how the smoke-free legislation will affect you, visit www.smokefreehillingdon.co.uk For advice on how to quit smoking contact Hillingdon Stop Smoking Services on 0800 16975.