Smokefree Enforcement
On July 1st 2007 England introduced a new
legislation to make virtually all enclosed public places and
workplaces in England Smokefree. The Health Act 2006 has
been introduced to protect employees and the public from the
harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
This is seen as the biggest public health change for 50 years and
is supported by local councils, NHS and the Department of
Health across the country.
Background
- On July 1st 2007, the smokefree law was
introduced. It is now against the law to smoke in virtually
all ‘enclosed’ and ‘substantially enclosed’ public places and
workplaces.
- Public transport and work vehicles used by
more than one person must be smokefree at all times.
- No-smoking signs must be displayed in all
smokefree premises and vehicles.
- Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking
areas are no longer allowed, so anyone who wants so smoke has to go
outside.
- Managers of smokefree premises and
vehicles have legal responsibilities to prevent people from
smoking.
- If you are uncertain where you can or
can’t smoke, just look for the no-smoking signs or ask someone in
charge.
Penalties and fines for breaking the
smokefree law
Bedford Borough Council is responsible for enforcing the law in
England. If you don’t comply with the smokefree law, you will
be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices
and maximum fine for each offence are:
- Smoking in a smokefree premises or
work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to
£30 if paid within 15 days) imposed on the person smoking, or a
maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted in a
Court.
- Failure to display no-smoking
signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to
£150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the
premises or vehicle, or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and
convicted by a court.
- Failing to prevent smoking in a
smokefree place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on
whoever manages or controls the smokefree premises or vehicle if
prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed
penalty notice for this offence.
Smokefree
Guidance
What can I do if I see someone smoking in a smokefree place
or vehicle?
If you see someone smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle,
please contact us on 01237 718099 or by e-mailing ehadmin@bedford.gov.uk
I would like to give up smoking, where can I get some
help?
If you would like help and advice on how to quit smoking, further
information can be found on the NHS smokefree website http://smokefree.nhs.uk/ or by
calling 0800 022 4332.