03 September 2010Local businesses are being reminded that they now have less than two weeks to ensure their premises are ready for the biggest change in health legislation in the last 50 years.
From Sunday 1 July virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smokefree, bringing England into line with the rest of the British Isles, who have already done so.
However as well as ensuring premises remain smokefree, there is also another important aspect of the new legislation.
Every business is also required to display a no smoking sign at each entrance to their premises, as must work vehicles which are also affect by the legislation. Failure to do so carries a maximum fine of £1,000, or a fixed penalty notice of £200.
The no smoking signs are subject to strict criteria – they must be A5 in area, display the international no smoking symbol in colour, a minimum of 70mm in diameter and carry the words, "No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises" in characters that can be easily read.
A no smoking sign that simply displays the no smoking symbol in colour, a minimum of 70mm in diameter, is also required at entrances to smokefree premises which:
The signage can be downloaded by visiting the Smokefree England website. Further guidance on the signage is also available here.
Cllr Felicity Broomby, Sevenoaks District Council member with responsibility for healthy living, says: “With the introduction of the smokefree legislation less than a fortnight away every business should be prepared for this change of law. Ensuring the correct signage is in place is as important as making sure smoking isn’t taking place in an enclosed area of a premises. The good news is that if you are unsure of what you need to do, there are full guidelines and downloadable signs on the Smokefree England website, meaning that within minutes you can literally have everything in place and prevent the possibility of a £1,000 fine.”
The new legislation will cover shops, offices, factories, pubs, restaurants, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. Indoor workplace smoking rooms will also disappear so anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside instead.
Failure to prevent smoking in an enclosed space could result in a fine of £2,500 for the premises owner, and any individual caught smoking in an enclosed space can also be fined up to £200, or receive a fixed penalty notice of £50.
Further information can also be found on the Smokefree section of Sevenoaks District Council’s website, by e-mailing smokefree@sevenoaks.gov.uk or calling 01732 227000.
