Like it or not, smoking has now been banned in all public indoor spaces in England.

• As of 1 July 2007 it is now against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces. See below for definitions.
• Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person need to be smokefree.
• No-smoking signs have to be displayed in all smokefree premises and vehicles.
• Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas are no longer allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke have 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

If you don't comply with the new smokefree law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

• Smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by 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 smokefree 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.

Local councils are responsible for enforcing the new law in England.

A telephone line (0800 587 1667) is also in operation to enable members of the public to report possible breaches of the law. This information will be passed to local councils to follow-up as appropriate.

For more information, visit the Smokefree England website.

Select here to download the Everything You Need to Know guide (2.41MB - pdf help)

Also on devon.gov.uk

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