ENVIRONMENTAL health officers in Bury are urging businesses to go smoke-free before it becomes law in July.

Packs have been produced, containing advice on how to design and implement a smoke-free environment, a fact sheet and a brief guide to the new legislation.

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for Bury Primary Care Trust, said: "Stopping smoking in the workplace will improve the health of staff and reduce sickness and absence.

"If employers ban smoking before the legislation comes in, it will be easier for our local health services to provide all the help that smokers, who want to give up when the ban comes in, need."