Smoking Ban

The new law banning smoking in enclosed public places in Wales will come into force on 2nd April 2007. The aim of the smoking law is to protect workers and the general public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

The law creates three specific offences:
• Failing to display no-smoking signs in premises covered by the law
• Smoking in a smoke-free place
• Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place.

Similar legislation has already taken effect in Scotland and is proposed to come into force in England and Northern Ireland in 2007.
Very few exemptions are proposed to the smoking ban. The new law will affect most public premises, including restaurants, pubs, bars, shops, cinemas, shopping centres, leisure centres, other enclosed workplaces and public transport.

What penalties are proposed for those who break the law?

• Individuals may be fined a fixed penalty of £50 for smoking in no-smoking premises. For a summary conviction, the maximum fine will be up to £200.
  
• The manager or person in control of any no-smoking premises could be fined a fixed penalty of £200 for failing to display warning notices in no-smoking premises. For a summary conviction, the maximum fine will be up to £1,000.
  
• The manager or person in control of any no-smoking premises could be fined up to £2,500 for allowing others to smoke in no smoking premises.
  
• The offence of obstruction of an officer authorised by the local authority to enforce the legislation carries a maximum fine of £1,000.
  

What you need to know about the smoke-free law [PDF,578KB]

Smoke-free premises etc (Wales) regulations 2007 [PDF, 219KB]

www.smokingbanwales.co.uk