Smoke Free
As of the 1st of July 2007 it is a legal requirement that virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England must be smoke free with the introduction of the Smoking Ban. Smoke Free England will ensure a healthier environment, so everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work free from secondhand smoke.
To find out more about the new legislation and the Smoking Ban please look at the information below and/or visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk
To make a complaint with regard to breaches of the Smoke Free legislation please contact us using the details below or from the 1st of July phone the Governments Smoke Free Compliance line on 0800 5871667 who will pass the complaint on to the relevant local authority.
| email: | |
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01785 619000 |
| sms: | 07781 471023 |
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01785 619319 |
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When did the smoke free law start?
What does the smoke free law do?
Which places must be smoke free? (enclosed & substantially enclosed premises)
I am a mini cab driver; can I smoke in my own vehicle if i don't have any passengers?
What signage do I have to display? (premises and vehicles)
How do I develop a smoke free policy?
What sort of smoking will the new law cover?
How can I support my staff and customers who want to quit?
Will smoking be banned outside? E.g outside pubs, on streets
Does the legislation cover sports stadiums?
What places are exempt under the regulations?
When did the smoke free law start?
Sunday 1st July 2007 6am.
What does the smoke free law do?
Smokefree legislation will mean that virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces, public vehicles and work vehicles will become smokefree. This means:
- it will be an offence to smoke in smokefree premises or vehicles
- it will be an offence for those who control or manage smokefree premises or vehicles to fail to prevent smoking in the premises or vehicle
- it will be an offence for people who occupy or manage smokefree premises or vehicles to not display the required no-smoking signs at the premises or within the vehicle.
The penalties and fines for the smokefree offences set out in the Health Act 2006 are:
- Smoking in a smokefree premises or vehicle: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (discounted to £30 if paid within 15 days from the issue of a notice) or a fine by a court not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale (up to £200)
- Failure to display no smoking signs in smokefree premises and vehicles as required by the new law: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (discounted to £150 if paid within 15 days from the issue of a notice) or a fine by a court not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (up to £1000)
- Failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree premises or vehicle: a fine by a court not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (up to £2500).
Which places must be smoke free? (enclosed & substantially enclosed premises)
SMOKE FREE PREMISES
The smoke free law will applies to virtually all enclosed or substantially enclosed premises that are open to the public or used as a place of work (by more than one person or where members of the public might attend to receive or provide goods or services). This includes both permanent structures and temporary ones such as tents and marquees. A roof includes any fixed or movable structures, such as canvas awnings.
Enclosed - Premises will be considered to be enclosed if they have a ceiling or roof and, except for doors, windows or passageways, are wholly enclosed, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.
Substantially Enclosed - Premises will be considered to be substantially enclosed if they have a ceiling or roof, but have an opening in the walls, which is less than half of the total areas of walls. The area of the opening does not include doors, windows or any other fittings that can be opened or shut.
This also means that indoor smoking rooms in public places and workplaces will no longer be allowed.
If you require further guidance on whether your premises are 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed' please contact The Food Team on 01785 619402.
The new law will also require vehicles to be smokefree at all times if they are used:
- to transport members of the public
- in the course of paid or voluntary work by more than one person - regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time.
- Vehicles that are used primarily for private purposes will not be required to be smokefree.
I am a mini cab driver; can I smoke in my own vehicle if i don't have any passengers?
No. All vehicles used for public transport will be required to be smokefree at all times. This will mean that a member of the public can be sure that the public transport they use will be free from hazardous secondhand smoke at all times.
What signage do I have to display? (premises and vehicles)
The new law will require no-smoking signs to be displayed in all smokefree premises and vehicles. Signs will make it clear which premises and vehicles are smokefree and demonstrate that you are taking the necessary steps to meet the requirements of the new law.
Required signage for smokefree premises
No-smoking signs will need to be displayed in a prominent position at every public entrance to smokefree premises. These must meet the following minimum requirements:
- be a minimum of A5 in area (210mm x 148mm)
- display the international no-smoking symbol* at least 70mm in diameter
- carry the following words in characters that can be easily read: 'No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises'
- A smaller sign consisting of the international no-smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter may instead be displayed at entrances to smokefree premises that are: only used by members of staff, providing the premises displays at least one A5 area sign, or located within larger smokefree premises, such as a shop within an indoor shopping centre.
Required signage for smokefree vehicles
Smokefree vehicles will need to display a no-smoking sign in each compartment of the vehicle in which people can be carried. This must show the international no smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter.
Signs will be included in the guidance mailing to businesses in April. Additional signs can be downloaded and printed or ordered from www.smokefreeengland.co.uk. Alternatively, you can design and print your own no-smoking signs as long as they meet the minimum requirements. You are also free to personalise your signs by changing the words 'these premises' to refer to the name or type of premises - such as 'this gym', 'this salon' or 'this restaurant'.
How do I develop a smoke free policy?
Contact the Food Team on 01785 619402 for advice on no smoking policies.
There is no requirement to provide smoking shelters. If you do have an outside smoking shelter or area, you will need to be sure that it is not 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed' as defined by the new law. (No requirement for a shelter to be a certain distance away from a wall).
Need to discuss any plans for smoking shelters with the Planning department or the Food Team, as there may be a range of issues you need to consider. These might include planning permission, licensing, building control, noise and litter.
What sort of smoking will the new law cover?
The legislation covers the smoking of tobacco or anything that contains tobacco, or smoking any other substance, including manufactured cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, pipes and cigars.
This means that anything that is smoked is covered by smokefree law, including manufactured and hand-rolled cigarettes, pipes, cigars, herbal cigarettes and water pipes (including shisha, hookah and hubble-bubble pipes).
How can I support my staff and customers who want to quit?
If you think you are ready to go smoke free there's no need to struggle alone. If you live in one of the six South Staffordshire District Council areas (Stafford, South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Tamworth, East Staffordshire) your local Stop Smoking Service can help you to cope. Evidence shows that you're four times more likely to stop smoking for good if you get the right support.
on 0800 0434304 or text "QUIT" to 60777 or e-mail quit@itstimetoquit.co.uk.Contact the Food Team on 01785 619402 for details regarding smoking cessation services advice available for staff at businesses.
Stafford Borough Council will be enforcing the new law. Advice and guidance to help businesses comply with the legislation will be given and regular visits will be carried out to check compliance.
Will smoking be banned outside? E.g outside pubs, on streets
The Health Act 2006 also includes powers to make non-enclosed places smokefree if there is 'significant risk that, without designation, persons present there would be exposed to significant quantities of smoke'. At present, the Government does not intend to make any non-enclosed place smokefree.
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Does the legislation cover sports stadiums?
Many sports stadiums are already smokefree.
When smokefree legislation comes into force, only parts of stadiums that are enclosed or substantially enclosed will be required to be smokefree.
What places are exempt under the regulations?
The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations include exemptions for bedrooms in hotels, and for care homes, hospices and prisons. In most cases, exemptions do not apply to the entirety of premises, but to 'designated rooms', that must meet requirements specified in the regulations.