The Health Act 2006 has resulted in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public spaces and workplaces in the country being smoke free. This includes all offices, factories, bars, restaurants, pubs, public transport and work vehicles. The law means indoor smoking rooms are no longer be permitted.

From July 1st 2007 there has been a legal requirement for businesses to display signs at the entrances to premises as well as all vehicles used for work purposes by more than one person. These signs are available from Smoke Free England website.

If you are providing outside shelters for your workers or customers they must meet specific legal specifications. The location of shelters should take into consideration potential noise nuisance from customers to any nearby properties.

Planning permission may also be needed before the erection of a shelter can take place, please check with the Planning & Transport Department of Bournemouth Borough Council on 01202 451325.

Businesses should also consider providing cigarette butt bins to prevent litter accumulation and possible littering fines.

If you run or attend a licensed premises you may want to consider:

• Will drinks be allowed outside? Does the premises licence allow this? Will polycarbonate be necessary?
• How will maximum numbers be monitored? Will customers have to re-join a queue or incur re-entry fees?  Will extra CCTV be necessary?

Employees need to be made aware of changes in the workplace. A smoke free policy can detail decisions on non-compliance and disciplinary procedures as well as how it will relate to the existing health and safety policy. Advice on creating a policy can be found on the Smoke Free England website.

Individuals who do not comply with the new law may be liable for a fine or prosecution for the following:

• Smoking in a smoke free place or vehicle
• Failing to display smoke free signs
• Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke free place or vehicle

Any non-compliance of the legislation will be directed at the businesses rather than the individuals as the businesses should be ensuring their staff and customers are only smoking in designated areas.

If you are a smoker who is considering giving up, local support is available in Bournemouth both in the day and in the evening through the NHS Stop Smoking Service. With a success rate of 74% and access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches and gum etc) or Zyban on prescription, there is no better way to stop smoking. If you wish to join over 3000 successful quitters or provide free support for your staff  call 01202 436866 or visit the Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust.

For more information and guidance see the Smoke Free England website or email the licensing team.

Any complaints or non-complaince can be registered by telephoning the Smoke Free England Hotline on 0800 5871667 or by emailing the licensing team.