Northern Association of Model Engineers

Fact Sheet – No Smoking Regulations.

The Smoke - Free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 are effective from 1^st July 2007 in England (already law in Wales and Scotland).  They make it an offence to smoke or allow anyone to smoke in any premises open to the public or used as a place of work (which is defined to include VOLUNTARY work).

To be applicable the premises have to be enclosed or substantially enclosed. They have to have a roof or ceiling and less than half of the perimeter (excluding windows) consists of openings. This would include a typical railway waiting shelter.  Indoor smoking rooms will no longer be allowed and there is no requirement for smoking shelters to be provided for members or public.  The law applies to pipes, cigarettes and cigars.

Smoke- Free vehicles

Any vehicle used for the conveyance of the public or members must  prohibit smoking, but they do not apply to open coaches or one that has a removable roof. They do apply to part - roofed vehicles which would include a locomotive with even a part roof!

No- Smoking signs

The regulations demand the display of suitable no smoking signs unless the whole site is deemed to be a no smoking site. If this is the case then one sign at the entrance is sufficient otherwise every affected vehicle, locomotive or premises should have a separate sign.

Further information is on the Smokefree England website at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

As the Councils will be employing Inspectors to check on the enforcement of this law we would suggest that all member Societies ensure that no one smokes in any Smoke - Free premises or vehicles from 1^st July.

Frank Cooper
Chairman
June 2007