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Since 1 July 2007 the Health Act 2006 makes virtually all indoor public places and workplaces, including work vehicles, smoke-free. It affects almost every business in Thanet.
Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed or ‘substantially enclosed’ public places and workplaces by making it an offence to:
Premises are considered to be ‘substantially enclosed’ if they have a ceiling or roof, but there are openings in the walls which are less than half of the total area of the walls. This is known as the 50% rule.
Smokefree legislation affects all premises which:
‘Work’ also covers voluntary work, so if a village hall holds an event staffed by volunteers, it must be smokefree. If the public attended, it would be both a workplace and a public place.
All vehicles used for public transport, e.g. buses, trains and taxis, are also affected by the new law.
Where a vehicle is used as a workplace by more than one person, regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time, it is required to be smokefree at all times. This protects shift and other workers using the same vehicle from the hazards of second-hand smoke.
Yes:
The Council’s enforcement staff are working closely with businesses to raise awareness of the new legislation. This approach is complemented by inspections which are either proactive, i.e. to confirm compliance, or, reactive in response to complaints.
Prosecution and the use of fixed penalty notices are seen as a last resort and used only when the seriousness of the situation warrants.
Cigarette butts now make up the bulk of street litter in the UK. If you're a smoker help to keep Thanet Beautiful by putting your extinguished butts in a cigarette bin.
If you are a business and customers drop butts outside your premises, consider a small wall-mounted cigarette bin (370mm x 200mm x 70mm). Permission is not normally required unless you occupy a listed building. However, you should check with a Planning Development Officer before fitting.
Call Freephone 0800 849 4444 and speak with the East Kent NHS Stop Smoking Service. They offer advice and help and they have support located right across Thanet and somewhere near you.
There is also an excellent network website at: http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk
For more information and materials,visit the Go Smoke Free website.
Tel: 01843 577421
Fax: 01843 221996
Smokefree helpline
Tel: 01843 577580
Email: customer.services @thanet.gov.uk