New Smokefree legislation – 1st July 2007
From 1st July 2007, virtually all enclosed public spaces and workplace and public and work vehicles must be smokefree. This includes permanent buildings or shelters, and temporary ones such as marquees. Indoor smoking rooms will no longer be allowed.
Work and public transport vehicles where more than one person uses the vehicle, regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time, must be smokefree.
The smokefree law applies to any kind of smoking, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars and herbal cigarettes.
Some things you need to do to be to be ready for the new law by 1st July:
Prominently display A5 no-smoking signs with correct wording at each entrance point to your building(s) and the smaller image only signs in work vehicles. There are fines for non-display of correct signage.
Ensure staff and customers are aware that your premises and work vehicles are legally required to be smokefree.
Remove existing indoor smoking rooms.
You will need to show that you have taken reasonable steps to meet the requirements of the law. These might include:
Removing ashtrays from smokefree premises.
Training staff to understand the new law and their responsibilities.
Introduce a smokefree policy.
Environmental and planning requirements
If you intend allowing smokers to use pavements, courtyards, beer gardens, smoking sheleters, awnings and canopies, you will need to consider health and safety, local planning regulations and public nuisance laws.
Smoking shelters and stub out bins
You are not required by law to provide smoke breaks or a smoking shelter.
If you do decide to build a permanent external smoking shelter, it must not be substantially enclosed. Many designs on the market fail to meet the legal requirement of having at least 50% open walls.
Shelters that are freestanding or attached to an existing building will require planning permission. You may also require planning permission for stub out bins on th efront of buildings or anywhere on listed buildings. Contact planning services on 0114 2734215 for further information.
Licensed premises
Licensees should remember that any alteration to outside areas covered by the premises licence may require an application to vary the licence. Also, if an outdoor area is licesnsed, check the hours you are allowed to use it, as this sometimes differs to yoru actual trading times. Contact the Licensing General Section on 0114 273 4264 for further information.
For more information on any aspect of the smokefree legislation, you can call Sheffield City Council on 0114 2734415 or look on the website: http://www.smokefreesheffield.co.uk
Source: SCC
Date: 12th July 2007
Expiry Date: None