Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

What is the new law on smoking?

On 1 July 2007 the Health Act 2006 was introduced meaning people are no longer allowed to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, including work vehicles.

The aim of the legislation is to protect employees and members of the public from the serious health risks of second-hand smoke.

What does the new smokefree law mean?

• It is against the law to smoke in virtually all “enclosed” and “substantially enclosed” public places and workplaces
• Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person must be smokefree at all times
• No smoking signs must be displayed in all smokefree premises and vehicles
• Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas are no longer allowed
• Managers of smokefree premises and vehicles have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking.

How is the law being enforced?

The Council is responsible for enforcing the smoking legislation and can issue penalties to people and businesses that don’t comply.

Environmental Health officers check that premises in the Vale are complying with the smokefree law as part of their routine business inspections.

Any complaints of people or businesses breaking the law will also be investigated. You can report any instances of the law being broken  - see How to report someone breaking the smoking law for how to do this.

What are the penalties for breaking the law?

Anyone who does not comply with the smokefree law will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

• Smoking in a smokefree business or vehicle - a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £200
• Failure to display minimum no smoking signs - a fixed penalty notice of £200 or a fine of up to £1,000
• Failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place - a fine of up to £2,500

Compliance with the smokefree legislation has been very high in the Vale, and to date no fixed penalty notices or fines have been issued for any breaches of the law.