The UK
smoking ban
- Like it or not, from the summer of 2007 smoking was banned in all
public places.
The UK smoking ban follows similar decisions made in several parts of
Europe the USA. If you are a smoker in protest over the British ban,
count your lucky stars you don't live in the Himalayan kingdom of
Bhutan, where the sale and use of tobacco is completely outlawed.
Where is smoking banned?
- Smoking in all indoor public places is banned. Many places - such as
cinemas and public transport - have rarely permitted smoking in recent
years, and so it is places like pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and
private members' clubs that feel the biggest impact of the ban.
Where are able
to smoke? -
You can still light up outdoors, in the home or places considered to be
'homes', such as prisons, care homes and hotels.
Smoking
could is still banned at certain outdoor locations that are
'substantially enclosed', such as football grounds and railway
platforms. No decision has yet been made on smoking inside cars
carrying passengers.
|
What will
happen if I'm caught fag-in-hand?
- If
you're caught smoking in a banned area you could be fined £50.
But who's
really going to care if I light up a sneaky one?
- Those
in charge of the premises would be fools to let you get away with
it, especially considering that they could face a £2,500 fine if
they fail to stop you. They could also be charged on-the-spot fines
of £200 if they fail to display no-smoking signs, with the penalty
increasing to £1,000 if the issue goes to court.
----------------------------------
Back
to Quit Smoking page.
|