SMOKING ZONE
WILL THE BAN AFFECT MY BUSINESS?
YES, IF YOUR PREMISES ARE WHOLLY OR SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSED.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?
VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS ARE PROPOSED. THE LAW WILL AFFECT MOST PUBLIC PREMISES, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, PUBS, BARS, SHOPS, CINEMAS, SHOPPING CENTRES, LEISURE CENTRES, OTHER ENCLOSED WORKPLACES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT. IT WILL ALSO APPLY TO PRIVATE CLUBS, EG RUGBY CLUBS, SNOOKER CLUBS, WORKING MENS CLUBS ETC.
WHAT IS MEANT BY "WHOLLY OR SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSED?"
THIS IS AN AREA WITH A CEILING OR ROOF THAT - EXCEPT FOR DOORS, WINDOWS AND PASSAGEWAYS - IS EITHER WHOLLY ENCLOSED, WHETHER PERMANENTLY OR TEMPORARILY OR IS ENCLOSED BUT FOR AN OPENING WHICH IS LESS THEN HALF THE AREA OF ITS WALLS.
WHAT ABOUT MY CUSTOMERS WHO WANT TO SMOKE?
THE ONLY OPTION IS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A SMOKING ZONE WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE LAW, IE IS NOT A "WHOLLY ENCLOSED" OR "SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSED" AREA.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER FOR MY SMOKING AREA?
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ENSURING THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE USING THE AREA. LIGHTING SHOULD BE ADDED IF THE AREA IS POORLY LIT OR ISOLATED. FOR ADDITIONAL CUSTOMER COMFORT AND TO EXTEND THE PERIOD OF USE YOU MAY WISH TO INCLUDE HEATING. BOTH HEATERS AND LIGHTS CAN BE INTEGRATED INTO MARQUEES, PARASOLS AND AWNINGS.
