Health & Safety Risk Management System

H11 - Smoke Free Policy

The United Kingdom is now goverened by smoke-free legislation. These procedures will assist employers, managers and those in charge of smoke-free premises and vehicles to comply with the law.

Employers will need to:

• Develop a smoke-free policy in consultation with staff
• Display ‘no-smoking’ signs in smoke-free premises and vehicles
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are legally required to be smoke free
• Remove any existing indoor smoking rooms
• Ensure that no one smokes in smoke-free premises or vehicles.

Employers may also want to take these supportive measures:

• Offer staff training to help them understand the new law and what their responsibilities are
• Provide staff and customers with support to quit smoking.

The new smoke-free law applies to virtually all ‘enclosed’ and ‘substantially enclosed’ public places and workplaces. This includes both permanent structures and temporary ones such as tents and marquees.

Premises are considered ‘enclosed’ if they have a ceiling or roof and (except for doors, windows or passageways) are wholly enclosed either on a permanent or temporary basis.

Premises are considered ‘substantially enclosed’ if they have a ceiling or roof, but have an opening in the walls, which is less than half the total area of the walls. The area of the opening does not include doors, windows or any other fittings that can be opened or shut.

If you require further guidance on whether your premises are ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ please contact your local council.