Tenants’ anger at ‘misleading’ signs (From York Press)

Tenants’ anger at ‘misleading’ signs

8:54am Wednesday 11th July 2007 in News By Jeremy Small

RESIDENTS of council flats in York have criticised "misleading" no smoking signs in their own homes.

Tenants in the properties, in St Benedict Road, off Nunnery Lane, say the signs in the main entrance areas, which read "No Smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises", give the impression residents are not allowed to smoke anywhere in the building, even inside their flats.

Now members of Nunnery Residents Association (NRA) are asking for the signs - one of which has already been torn down by a tenant - to be amended to show that smoking is only banned in the communal areas of the flats.

Mick Green, chairman of the group, said if City of York Council had consulted with it before putting the signs up, the problem would have been avoided. "If the council had consulted us first, we would have pointed it out to them," he said.

"We're not happy about this. The council wants us to consult with it, but it does not consult with us."

Mr Green appealed to the council to alter the signs to show that smoking was only forbidden in the communal areas of the building.

“If the wrong message is sent out to people, it’s not going to help stop them smoking in public places. It think it’s done a bit of damage”

– Keith Chapman

Keith Chapman, also of NRA, said: "The signs should never have been put up. They were the wrong signs to put up and they've caused a lot of friction, upset one or two residents and are going to be misunderstood by many. The signs should have been especially made to say no smoking in the communal areas.' If the wrong message is sent out to people, it's not going to help stop them from smoking in public places. I think it's done a lot of damage."

Mr Chapman said while it was good that smoking in public places had been outlawed, the no smoking sign appeared "very aggressive."

However, Dawn Clarkson, smoke free officer at City of York Council, said: "The new smoking legislation is a national initiative, and as such, the council has no powers to change it.

"The information signs have been provided nationally and have been placed in communal areas of council flats, as well as businesses and work places across the city. We apologise for any confusion that the signs have caused. The national smoking legislation only applies to public areas, not private property."