Other States owned sites like schools and the hospital were already designated 'smoke-free areas' but this new policy meant places like the Dairy, Harbours, and airport grounds were also included.

It's part of the island's wider Tobacco Control Strategy which was developed to try and encourage people to cut down or quit smoking. Introducing the new smoke-free zones earlier this year was planned to ensure that Trading Assets sites, which employ a large number of people, were providing workplaces that are "safe and healthy for all staff, customers, service users and visitors and comply with health and safety and employment laws".

The updated policy which came into force on New Year's Day applies to all sites controlled by the Guernsey Dairy, Property Services, States Works, Guernsey Harbours, Guernsey and Alderney Airport and Guernsey Water but it doesn't include sites that are tenanted privately, such as coastal kiosks.

With the first quarter of the year now behind us, a 'post-implementation review' was held last week to hear feedback from representatives from each trading asset on how it is working. The feedback received was described as positive.

"The review has indicated that the transition to smoke-free sites in January was smooth. Staff have adhered to it well and there have been no complaints raised by staff, visitors, contractors or members of the public regarding the policy," States Trading Assets said in a statement. 

Paul Lickley, the Lead Officer for the working group said; 

“I think we can view the implementation as a real success for Trading Assets. We’ve been made aware of at least one employee who has stopped smoking for 6 months as a result of the policy and the resources that were offered with Quitline to support staff through the implementation.”

Pictured: Guernsey Airport and Guernsey Harbours are both subject to some exemptions allowing smoking in designated areas, but that is subject to review later this year. 

Some areas are subject to a 'temporary exemption'. They are also reported to be working well but are due to be reviewed this year.

The exemption areas are Le Foulon Cemetery and Crematorium, areas within Guernsey Harbours including a designated smoking area at the car check in zone, and outside the passenger terminal building, on the inter-island quay and the designated smoking area at Guernsey Airport.

Other areas which are already designated smoke-free sites are Les Nicolles Prison, all education and health and social care sites and Sir Charles Frossard House.