Health and community
Virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England have become smokefree. Smokefree public places and workplaces bring a positive change to your community, and we want to provide all the support you need to help ensure that smokefree is a success.
Information for campaigners
Smokefree guidance
Enforcing the smokefree law
Penalties and fines for breaking the smokefree law
Stopping smoking
Other useful resources on this website
Information for campaigners
A dedicated resource centre has been set up for regional and local campaigners. The campaign partners page features relevant collateral and resources for local campaign activity, including case study templates and brand guidelines.
Go to the campaign partners area
Smokefree guidance
In April 2007, a full guidance pack was sent in the post to all employing businesses that were actively trading and registered with Companies House. This pack contained a booklet explaining what businesses need to do, examples of compliant signage for smokefree premises and vehicles, a sample smokefree policy and suggested steps to take if someone smokes in a smokefree place.
We have also produced two handy guides, which you may find useful if you are speaking to businesses or the general public about the smokefree law. The leaflet for individuals could also be used by businesses who want to inform their staff about the new law.
Download 'Your guide to the new smokefree law' (for businesses) (PDF, 532KB)
Download 'How will the new smokefree law affect you' (for individuals) (PDF, 516KB)
If businesses need any advice regarding their own specific circumstances, we suggest they contact their local council.
Click here to locate your local council (new window)
Enforcing the smokefree law
Local councils are responsible for enforcing the new law in England. They have worked closely with businesses ensuring that everyone understands how to become smokefree.
In other smokefree countries, such as Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand, the levels of compliance are high, and the laws quickly became self-enforcing. However, anyone who doesn't comply with the new smokefree law will be committing a criminal offence.
Anyone who manages or is in charge of any premises or vehicles that the new law applies to has a legal responsibility to ensure they are smokefree and remain so. We have developed a flowchart setting out suggested steps to take if someone does smoke in a smokefree place:
How to deal with smoking in a smokefree place (PDF, 48KB)
If someone is smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle, you should alert the manager or the person in charge of the premises or vehicle in the first instance.
Alternatively you can contact the relevant local council or phone the Smokefree Compliance Line on 0800 587 166 7 to make a report. This information will be passed to the relevant local authority to follow up as appropriate.
Click here to locate your local council (new window)
Penalties and fines for breaking the smokefree law
If you don't comply with the smokefree law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:
- Smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
- Failure to display no-smoking signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the smokefree premises or vehicle. Or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
- Failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on whoever manages or controls the smokefree premises or vehicle if prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed penalty notice for this offence.
Stopping smoking
Around 70% of smokers say they want to stop smoking, and the new smokefree law may provide extra motivation to do so. There is excellent free support available from the NHS to help smokers who want to give up. This includes:
- local NHS Stop Smoking Services - to find your local service, call the NHS Smoking Helpline free on 0800 169 0 169, visit gosmokefree.co.uk, text 'GIVEUP' and your full postcode to 88088 or ask at your local GP practice, pharmacy or hospital.
- NHS Smoking Helpline - individuals can speak to a specialist adviser by calling 0800 169 0 169 (lines are open daily from 7am to 11pm).
- gosmokefree.co.uk - an online resource for all the advice, information and support needed to stop and stay stopped.
- Together - this support programme is free to join, and is designed too help you stop smoking using both medical research as well as insights from ex-smokers. You can choose to receive emails, text messages, mailing packs and phone calls. For more information call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 or visit www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree.
Visit: www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree (new window)
Other useful resources on this website
