Are UK Offices Ready for the Smoking Ban?

Derby, United Kingdom, April 18, 2007 --(PR.com)-- From July 1st British law will change to mean that smoking at work will now be a thing of the past.

The ban will cover Wales, Northern Ireland and England. This ban will bring an end to smoking in all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places, including schools, restaurants, pubs and public transport. For UK business owners this means all enclosed or substantially enclosed spaces within the workplace must be smoke free. Anything with a ceiling or roof and that has closable doors; whether on a temporary or permanent basis will be deemed as enclosed.

Substantially enclosed spaces are defined by having a ceiling or roof but with walls that contain up to a 50% open area.

Legally, smoke free premises will be required to display a no-smoking sign that meets the minimum requirements. Those who don’t comply face a fine of up to £2,500 if they fail to stop people smoking on their premises and on the spot fines of £200 for failure to display no-smoking signs (this fine could increase to £1,000 if the case goes to court). Interestingly there is no legal requirement for business owners to provide smoking shelters when the ban comes into place which is seen as a positive move by health conscious employers who do not wish to spend money giving smokers a social area in which to congregate. If, however employers do wish to provide outside smoking areas then they will need to ensure that it is not either ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed’ or that the areas provided comply with the new laws.

To help businesses, schools, pubs, restaurants or anyone else wishing to comply with this new legislation, online office supplies store Officeprofiles offer a selection of commercial ashtrays and UK compliant no-smoking signs that are available on a next working day basis.

Officeprofiles

###