Friday 21 November 2008
Cigarette and ashtray

Smoke free enclosed public places

Smoking Ban 1st July 2007

Smoking will be banned in all enclosed public places, including shops, factories, pubs, bars, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person at 06.00am 1st July 2007.

Why smoking in workplaces and public places is an issue

Smoke from cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals and over 50 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Smoking also makes other diseases more likely including raising the risk of suffering heart attacks and suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease.

Passive smoking has also been linked to increases in cancers and heart disease.

Enclosed or substantially enclosed Premises

The definition under the smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations of enclosed” and substantially enclosed” premises means:

Enclosed
  1. have a ceiling or roof and
  2. except for doors, window and passageways are wholly enclosed either permanently or temporarily.
Substantially Enclosed
Premises are substantially enclosed if they have a ceiling or roof but there is:
  1. an opening in the walls or:
  2. an aggregate area of openings in the walls, which is less than half of the area of the walls, including other structures which serve the purpose of walls and constitute the perimeter of premises. When determining the area of an opening, no account can be taken of openings in which doors, window or other fittings that can be open or shut.  This is known as the 50% rule.

Smoke free signs

Premises and vehicles that are smoke-free under law will be required to have no-smoking signs in place at each entrance, displayed in a prominent position.

Signage should be a minimum area of any shape that is equal to the size A5 showing the international no smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter; an contains in characters that can be easily read the following words.

"No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises.”

For vehicles

It is proposed that smoke-free vehicles display a no smoking sign which carries only the International Symbol (minimum 70mm in diameter).  If the vehicle has two or more compartments it must display a no smoking sign in each compartment e.g. in each carriage of a train.

The Department of Health will make available signs to businesses free of charge that meet the requirements set out in the regulations.

For more information visit the NHS Smokefree England website at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk