Since 30th April 2007 it is now against the law to smoke in most indoor places other than your own private home.

This includes:

• Places of work e.g. offices, factories, bars, restaurants, cafes, & hotels.
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Places used by members of the public, e.g. shopping centres, church/community halls and health centres.

Most vehicles used for work purposes and vehicles used to carry members of the public, will also have to be smoke-free.

This includes:

• Work vehicles used by more than one person (even if they do so at different times) e.g. cars, lorries and vans.
• Vehicles used to transport members of the public (even if they don’t pay to use them) e.g. buses, taxis, trains and minibuses.

Who Will Enforce the Law?

Newtownabbey Borough Council will enforce the law within Newtownabbey.

How does this affect me?

No one can smoke in a smoke-free premises or vehicle.

What You Need to Do

• If you own or manage a smoke-free premises or vehicle you need to ensure that people do not smoke there
• You need to display 'No Smoking' signs.

What Happens if You Break the Law?

If you break the law by smoking in a smoke-free place you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice or be prosecuted. If you own or manage a smoke-free premises or vehicle and you allow someone to smoke there, you may be prosecuted.

Where Can I Get Advice?

Contact the council's Environmental Health Dept hotline: 028 9034 0160 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or visit www.spacetobreathe.org.uk.

Related Documents to Download:

Smoke Free 2007 Factsheet (.pdf 22Kb)

Smoking Policy Template (.doc 45Kb)

Want 2 Stop Smoking (external link)

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