National no smoking day 11th March 2020

No Smoking Day is an annual health awareness day in the UK which is intended to help smokers who want to quit smoking.

From 1st July 2007 under the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 most public places and workplaces, including those premises where voluntary work takes place, are required to be smoke free. This means that staff, visitors and customers cannot smoke in any enclosed or substantially enclosed areas of work premises.

Premises that are workplaces for more than one person are required to be smoke free at all times, even if the individuals work there at different times of the day or work there occasionally. If a place of work is used by only one person, but the building is open to members of the public, for example to receive goods or services, the building is required to be smoke free at all times.

What is the penalty for smoking in the workplace?

• Workers can be fined up to £200, or up to £50 in Scotland.
• Businesses can be fined up to £2,500 if they don’t stop people smoking in the workplace or
• up to £1,000 if they don’t display ‘no smoking’ signs.

Does the law apply to e-cigarettes?

The law doesn’t apply to e-cigarettes. Employers can decide if they can be used on their premises, however it is important to communicate the policy to all staff and to ensure it is applied consistently.

What must you do to protect your business?

Businesses must:

• display ‘no smoking’ signs in all workplaces and vehicles
• make sure people don’t smoke in enclosed work premises or shared vehicles

Smoking in work vehicles

Smoking isn’t allowed in any work vehicle that more than one person uses, e.g.

• taxis
• buses
• vans
• goods vehicles used by more than one driver
• company cars used by more than one employee

A worker can smoke in a company car that only they use BUT only if their employer agrees.