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Smoking in the Workplace

11 June 2007

The anti smoking laws means that all places of work, including company vehicles, become smoke free from 1st July 2007.
Employers who currently permit employees to smoke either in separate offices or designated smoking rooms must now put a stop to it. Failure to prevent smoking in smoke free premises or a smoke free vehicles carries a penalty of £2,500.

The restrictions apply to:

• Premises used as a place of work (including voluntary work) by more than one person (even if those who work there do so at different times),

• Premises used as a place of work where members of the public might attend for the purpose of seeking or receiving goods or services from those working there,

• Company vehicles and pool cars if used by more than one person, regardless of whether or not there are other people in the car at the time of use.

The smoking ban only affects premises to the extent that they are ‘enclosed’ or ‘substantially enclosed.’ It would not prevent employers from allowing smoking outside the enclosed premises in the office car park or communal gardens, for example. Employers do not, however, have to make provisions for smokers and are entitled to ban smoking on their premises entirely.

 

For more information please contact Amanda Okill, Solicitor.
 

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