Smoke-free South Norfolk: guidance for smokers
Summary
If you're a smoker then you need to know how the new smoke-free legislation affects you, either as a customer of premises where you're used to being able to smoke - or as an employee. This page answers some of the common questions.
The same information can also be downloaded as a factsheet by following the link below.
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Further information
What sort of places and vehicles will have to be smoke-free?
Examples of places that have to be smoke-free include:
- offices;
- factories;
- shops;
- hospitals;
- restaurants;
- pubs;
- bars;
- cinemas;
- buses;
- coaches;
- taxis;
- mini-cabs, and;
- trains.
How do I know if I can't smoke somewhere?
The law requires that no-smoking signs (like the one opposite) have to be shown at entrances to smoke-free places, and also in any vehicle that has to be smoke-free.
What will happen if I'm caught smoking where shouldn’t?
Authorised officers of the council will enforce the smoke-free law. They will be able to give you an on the spot fine of £50 for smoking in a place or vehicle that is smoke-free. But if the matter goes to court, the fine could be up to £200.
Where am I allowed to smoke?
You can generally smoke anywhere that does not by law have to be smoke-free. For example, you will not be breaking the law if you smoke out in the open air.
The law will also not stop you from smoking inside a private dwelling - but stairwells, lifts and corridors in blocks of flats or apartments will have to be smoke-free.
Hotels and guest houses can designate some of their bedrooms to be ‘smoking allowed rooms’ for the use of the guest, for the duration of their stay. But it will be against the law for you to smoke in a bedroom that has not been designated.
What happens if I use my own home as a workplace?
The Government has no intention to make private dwellings and private residential spaces smokefree, but the law will apply to parts of dwellings used solely as a place of work by more than one person.
Organisations may ask that visiting employees providing a service in someone's home, are given smoke-free conditions while they are working there.
Thinking of giving up?
See our page on Giving up smoking to find out who can help you to quit the smoking habit.
Related pages on this website
External links
Smokefree England
Information about the new legislation, and details of how business can play an important part in creating a smoke-free country. Includes a Frequently Asked Questions section.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Food Control Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | envserv@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533714 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
Last updated on: 23 March 2011