SPACE TO BREATHE

Northern Ireland Goes Smoke Free on 30th April 2007.

From 30th April 2007, it will be against the law to smoke in most indoor places other than your own private home.

This will include:

• 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 will include:

• 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?

The Council will enforce the law.

How does this affect me?

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

If you own or manage a smoke-free premises or vehicle you need to ensure that people do not smoke there,

AND

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?

The following three documents provide further advice on the new law and what is required

Further information and advice, including visits to premises if required can be obtained by contacting the Council's Smoke Free Environments Officer using the contact information below.

Joy Hanna
Smoke Free Environments Officer (Ards & North Down Borough Councils) Environmental Health Service
Ards Borough Council
2 Church Street
Newtownards
BT23 4AP
Tel: 028 9182 4052
Fax: 028 9182 4060
E: spacetobreathe@ards-council.gov.uk