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Health

Smokefree Bedfordshire

From the 1st July 2007, nearly all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces, and public and work vehicles have had to be smokefree. Indoor smoking rooms are not allowed, so anyone wanting to smoke will have to go outdoors instead.

If you are an employer, manager or in charge of smokefree premises or vehicles, you need to:

• Display ‘No Smoking’ signs in smoke free premises and vehicles
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that staff/customers/members and visitors are aware that the premises and vehicles are required by law to be smokefree
• Ensure that no-one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles.

The signs required are specific and at the entrance to premises should be of A5 size and as well as the international no-smoking symbol (at least 70mm in diameter) need to have the words ‘It is against the law to smoke in these premises’. The words ‘in these premises’ may be personalised by changing them to refer to the name or type of premises e.g. this hotel.

Smokefree vehicles need to display a no-smoking sign in each compartment of the vehicle in which people are carried. This must show the international no-smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter.

There are penalties for not complying with the new smokefree law. For smoking in a smokefree place the fixed penalty notice is £50 (reduced to £30 if paid within 15days). A court can award a fine of up to £200. For failing to display no-smoking signs the fixed penalty is £200 (reduced to £150 for prompt payment). A court can award a fine of up to £1000. For failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place there is no fixed penalty but a court can award a fine of up to £2500.

You may also want to consult with staff about creating a smoking policy, and offer support for employees who want to quit smoking. A model policy is included in the Guidance Booklet on the Smokefree England website which you might want to use and can be downloaded from the site.

You do not have to provide a shelter, but if you do, it will have to comply with the regulations. More information about this is available from the Smokefree England website but in general terms the shelter must have an opening in the walls that is greater than half of the total of the area of the walls (known as the 50% rule). You should also discuss any plans with the Council as there are a range of issues that need to be considered including planning permission, building control, licensing (for pubs and other licensed premises) as well as noise and litter.

More information can be found on the Smokefree England website www.smokefreeengland.co.uk or by calling 0800 169 169 7

Guidance leaflets and signage are available on the Smokefree England website and can be downloaded from there. Alternatively you can ring John Jackson, Health Promotion Officer on 01234 221772. For specific advice please contact the Environmental Health Commercial Enforcement Team on 01234 227260 or email ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk.

For help and support in giving up, either for yourself or your staff, contact Bedfordshire NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 013 0553.

To download factsheets related to smokefree please click here.

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