1) Why is there a new smoking ban in England?
The government has identified that second-hand smoke is a threat to health in non-smokers exposed to it. As such, they have decided to protect non-smokers from the negative effects of 'environmental tobacco smoke in enclosed spaces.
2) When does the new smoking ban in England take effect?
1st July 2007 - smoking in enclosed public spaces is already banned in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
3) Where does the new smoking ban in England specifically ban smoking from?
The new law bans smoking in virtually all enclosed public places, including pubs, bars, restaurants, offices, factories, cinemas and sports stadiums.
4) How will I know what areas are smoke-free?
Smoke-free places will be clearly sign-posted with no-smoking signs. It is a legal requirement for places where smoking is now no longer allowed, to display no smoking signs.
5) But what does smoke-free really mean?
If you light up in a public place, workplace or company vehicle you'll be breaking the law. Or if managers let you smoke in no-smoking zones, they'll be breaking the law.
6) Will this new smoking ban in England mean all smoking is banned?
The ban covers the smoking of tobacco or anything that contains tobacco, or smoking any other substance. This includes manufactured cigarettes, hand-rolled cigarettes, pipes, cigars, herbal cigarettes and water pipes (including shisha, hookah and hubble-bubble pipes).
7) Will smoking be banned outdoors too?
The Health Act 2006 includes powers to make non-enclosed places smoke-free, but at present the Government does not intend to make any non-enclosed places smoke-free.
8) What happens if I smoke in a smoke-free area?
Smoking in smoke-free premises or vehicle will give a fixed penalty notice of £50, which is discounted to £30 if paid within 15 days. Business owners can expect a fine of up to £2,500 for failing to prevent smoking within enclosed public spaces.
9) What about hotels and private clubs?
Hotels will be non-smoking but there may be designated rooms where guests can smoke. Private clubs are covered by the ban. This includes working men clubs and golf clubs.
10) How will the new smoking ban in England be enforced?
The government has set aside funds for councils to employ 'smoking officers' who are tasked with ensuring businesses follow the letter of the law. It is expected to be enforced on a 'softly, softly' basis at first. All businesses are expected to be given a 'warning' before any legal action is taken against them.
11) Did you know?
If a business owner were found guilty of breaking this law and then failed to pay the fine, resulting in a custodial sentence, they would be allowed to smoke in enclosed public areas of the prison!
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Non-Smoker's Guide to Europe's Smoking Laws
Here is the rundown on the smoking rules in European countries. We are always on the lookout for countries that have decided to go smoke-free or at least make it easier for non-smokers to eat out.
Austria
The Austrian republic is one of Europe's last refuges for smokers; it is still resisting the smoking bans in effect in other EU countries. However, the state-run railways OeBB have been non-smoking from September 1, 2007. Austria's Health Minister Andrea Kdolsky is considering introducing smoking rules in restaurants and cafes by 2008. A 2005 law that forbids smoking in public places ( but specifically excludes cafes and restaurants) would be reinforced from January 1, 2008 to require larger restaurants to split their dining areas 50-50 between smoking and non-smoking sections. Smaller eateries would have to decide whether they were smoking or non-smoking establishments and put up a sign declaring their choice.
Germany
As of September 1, 2007, smoking is banned in public places in all of Germany. But local laws regulate smoking in restaurants and cafes in their own jurisdiction, so you will see some differences in how the law is carried out by each German state.German trains and train stations however, have banned smoking entirely. Some of the larger train stations have special smoking rooms available for those who need their nicotine fix before or after their smoke-free voyage.
Ireland
In 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose an outright ban on smoking in workplaces. Irish legislation makes it an offence to smoke in workplaces, which effectively bans smoking in pubs and restaurants.
Italy
An official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places was imposed in Italy on January 10, 2005. This law obliges restaurants, bars, offices and factories to prohibit tobacco use on their premises unless they are able to provide special sealed off rooms with smoke extractors. Because few retailers were able to fulfill this condition, it is now practically impossible to smoke in any public place. A fine of up to 2,000 Euros could be levied on businesses which fail to comply with this law. And smokers may be fined up to 275 Euros which can be doubled if a smoker lights up in front of children or pregnant women.
Finland
Except in designated smoking zones, smoking is not permitted indoors in public buildings and other places open to the public. Smoking zones are not available in facilities for children and other persons under eighteen. Smoking is also prohibited on trains, trams, buses or aircraft, schools and other educational institutions, offices and other places of work.
France
Since February 1, 2007 smoking was banned in workplaces and other public buildings and will expand in 2008 to include cafes, restaurants and bars. Many restaurants have already become smoke-free or offer non-smoking sections.
The Netherlands
On January 1, 2004, cigarettes were banned from many public places including railway stations, trains, toilets and offices.
Norway
A national ban was imposed on smoking in restaurants, bars and cafes from June 1, 2004
Sweden
Since May, 2005 smoking has been prohibited in all bars and restaurants. Establishments wanting to allow smoking are required to have a closed-off section with specially-designed ventilation, where no food or drink can be served.
United Kingdom
Smoking is banned in nearly all enclosed public spaces - including bars, restaurants and workplaces. The ban came into effect in England on July 1, 2006. Scotland introduced a ban in March 2006, followed by Wales and Northern Ireland in April 2007.
Austria
The Austrian republic is one of Europe's last refuges for smokers; it is still resisting the smoking bans in effect in other EU countries. However, the state-run railways OeBB have been non-smoking from September 1, 2007. Austria's Health Minister Andrea Kdolsky is considering introducing smoking rules in restaurants and cafes by 2008. A 2005 law that forbids smoking in public places ( but specifically excludes cafes and restaurants) would be reinforced from January 1, 2008 to require larger restaurants to split their dining areas 50-50 between smoking and non-smoking sections. Smaller eateries would have to decide whether they were smoking or non-smoking establishments and put up a sign declaring their choice.
Germany
As of September 1, 2007, smoking is banned in public places in all of Germany. But local laws regulate smoking in restaurants and cafes in their own jurisdiction, so you will see some differences in how the law is carried out by each German state.German trains and train stations however, have banned smoking entirely. Some of the larger train stations have special smoking rooms available for those who need their nicotine fix before or after their smoke-free voyage.
Ireland
In 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to impose an outright ban on smoking in workplaces. Irish legislation makes it an offence to smoke in workplaces, which effectively bans smoking in pubs and restaurants.
Italy
An official ban on smoking in all enclosed public places was imposed in Italy on January 10, 2005. This law obliges restaurants, bars, offices and factories to prohibit tobacco use on their premises unless they are able to provide special sealed off rooms with smoke extractors. Because few retailers were able to fulfill this condition, it is now practically impossible to smoke in any public place. A fine of up to 2,000 Euros could be levied on businesses which fail to comply with this law. And smokers may be fined up to 275 Euros which can be doubled if a smoker lights up in front of children or pregnant women.
Finland
Except in designated smoking zones, smoking is not permitted indoors in public buildings and other places open to the public. Smoking zones are not available in facilities for children and other persons under eighteen. Smoking is also prohibited on trains, trams, buses or aircraft, schools and other educational institutions, offices and other places of work.
France
Since February 1, 2007 smoking was banned in workplaces and other public buildings and will expand in 2008 to include cafes, restaurants and bars. Many restaurants have already become smoke-free or offer non-smoking sections.
The Netherlands
On January 1, 2004, cigarettes were banned from many public places including railway stations, trains, toilets and offices.
Norway
A national ban was imposed on smoking in restaurants, bars and cafes from June 1, 2004
Sweden
Since May, 2005 smoking has been prohibited in all bars and restaurants. Establishments wanting to allow smoking are required to have a closed-off section with specially-designed ventilation, where no food or drink can be served.
United Kingdom
Smoking is banned in nearly all enclosed public spaces - including bars, restaurants and workplaces. The ban came into effect in England on July 1, 2006. Scotland introduced a ban in March 2006, followed by Wales and Northern Ireland in April 2007.
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