PUBLIC buildings in Tavistock are now officially no smoking areas, following the installation of new signs last week. Members of the town council's properties committee were told that signs were being erected on the pannier market doors, the town hall and council buildings including the works department. But the policy does not apply to all buildings owned by the council. Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'I have had a couple of comments made to me, saying the Duke Street shops will have to be no smoking. 'We can't enforce that unless we formally change their lease but I've been told there are people going round town saying they won't be able to smoke in the shops — it's not a pleasant rumour.' Cllr Iain Andrews said he hoped employees of Duke Street businesses would not think the council was trying to enforce its policies on them. He said he was pleased the council had been proactive in its no smoking policy for its public areas, which was to the benefit of staff, visitors, employees or residents who would not have to suffer the effects of 'secondary smoking'.
