Businesses need to show sign of intent over smoking ban
June 5, 2007
Businesses in England need to ensure the no-smoking signs they are obliged to display from 1 July meet the format set out by the Government, the Department of Health (DoH) has warned.
Under the Smoke-free (signs) Regulations (2007), businesses are required to display a no-smoking sign at the entrance of every enclosed public space when the smoking ban takes effect in England on 1 July.
The signs have to follow a standard format, which means they must be:
• in colour;
• A5 size; and
• must read: ‘No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises.’
The symbol on the sign must also consist solely of a graphic representation of a single burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle (of at least 70mm in diameter) with a red bar across it.
"Businesses are free to design and print their own no-smoking signs, as long as they meet these minimum requirements," said DoH spokeswoman Jody Hopkinson.
"The legislation will be enforced by local authorities and businesses that fail to display no-smoking signs in the required format risk being fined," she continued. "However, businesses will be given leeway to put up the correct signs before they are hit with a fine."
Businesses that fail to display no-smoking signs in smoke-free premises and vehicles will be subject to a fixed penalty notice of £200.
You can download free ‘No-smoking’ signs from the smokefree England website http://smokefreeengland.co.uk/resources/guidance-and-signage.html
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