Businesses across Telford & Wrekin have given giving their backing to the controversial smoking ban with just a handful slapped with warnings for flouting the law introduced almost a year ago.

And since the law was brought in on July 1 last year, Telford & Wrekin Council has inspected more than 1,050 premises covered by the law.

The council has found more than 98 per cent of these businesses now no longer allow smoking on their premises.

In the first nine months of the law, the council has also had to issue only five warning letters to businesses it found flouting the legislation.

Following this, no further action has been needed as these businesses have now come into line with the laws.

But the smoking ban has come in for criticism from some landlords who claim it has helped to virtually destroy the pub trade.

Under the new law, smokers can be hit with a £50 fixed penalty fine for lighting up in an enclosed or partially-enclosed public space. Businesses also face a fine of £2,500 if they knowingly flout the smoking ban.

Councillor Jacqui Seymour, cabinet member for adult and consumer care, said: “These are very encouraging figures for Telford & Wrekin, which closely mirror what has been happening nationally.

“Our aim has always been for the smoke-free laws to be self-regulating, with enforcement only a last resort when all other measures have failed.

“I am delighted this has proved to be the case so far, underlining the breadth of public support there is for smoke-free.

“As is the case nationally, the number of businesses displaying the correct signage is lower, at 80 per cent. This is not yet as high as we would like it to be but we continue to work very closely with businesses on improving this.

“This law was never about councils becoming some sort of smoking police, but about us working with businesses and the public and I am delighted, in a relatively short space of time, we have achieved very nearly full compliance simply through support and cooperation.”

By Lisa Rowley