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Download the Hotel & guest house factsheet [PDF, 57 Kb]

Further information

Requirements under the new smoke-free law

You are required to:

• Display “no-smoking” signs at entrances to your hotel or guest house, and;
• make sure that no one smokes in smoke-free premises.

The requirements of the smoke-free laws will be enforced by authorised officers. Failure to comply with this legislation could lead to the following proposed penalties:

• Smoking in a smoke-free place - a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £200 for non-compliant public and guests
• Failure to display appropriate signs – a fixed penalty notice of £200 or a fine of up to £1000 for non-compliant business owners
• Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke free place – a fine of up to £2,500 for non-compliant business owners

As the owner of the business, you are required to take all reasonable action to ensure your business, staff and premises comply with the regulations and your guests understand and comply with the law while staying on your premises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I allow guests to smoke in a designated ‘smoking lounge’?

NO: No guest or member of staff is allowed to smoke in any public area of the property, even if all the guests and staff are smokers.

Can guests smoke in their own private bedroom/accommodation?

YES: but only in certain bedrooms which have been designated as ‘smoking allowed rooms’. These are for the use of the guest for the duration of their stay.

These rooms must be designated in writing as “smoking allowed” guest bedrooms and a register containing the identity of these rooms must be kept by the management, and must be available for inspection by enforcement officers at any time. Staff will not be permitted to smoke in these rooms.

Can any bedroom be designated as a smoking allowed room?

NO: There are certain requirements for smoking-allowed rooms. Doors that lead to public smoke-free areas of the property must have a mechanical closure device fitted, and any ventilation system must not ventilate into any other smoke-free part of the premises (except another designated smoking allowed bedroom).

A designated guest room must be clearly marked as a room where smoking is permitted.

I have a conservatory with large doors and windows. Can my guests smoke in there with my permission?

NO: Any enclosed or substantially enclosed space that has a roof or ceiling must have over 50% of the wall area open to the air, to permit smoking in that area.

My staff tell me they will not be allowed to smoke anywhere in the property, including a smoking designated guest room, are they correct?

YES: If a member of staff wants to smoke they will have to go outside the building.

My premises are already smoke-free. Do I have to do anything to comply with the new law?

YES: There is a legal minimum requirement to put up signs in all business premises. A No Smoking On These Premises sign of the designated design must be clearly visible at every public entrance to the property. It is proposed the signs will be size A5 and have text as shown in the two images below:

Only signs in English will satisfy the legal requirements. The above drawings are for guidance only and do not represent suggestions of what the requirements might be.

Can I get help guidance and advice free of charge?

YES: To speak to an officer, or to arrange an advisory visit, get in touch with us - our contact details are below.

External links

Smokefree England
Information about the new legislation, and details of how you and your business can play an important part in creating a smoke-free country. Includes a Frequently Asked Questions section.

About links to other websites.