From Sunday 1st July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will become smoke free. The idea being that a smoke free England will help us all to be a happier, healthier lot.

Smoke free nights out:
No more smokey jazz clubs, after dinner cigars or ciggie breaks after throwing a few shapes on the dancefloor, there’s no doubt that a smoke free London is going to be a different animal but it will be a sweeter smelling one too. Many London bars, clubs and restaurants have already turned smoke free ahead of the ban and celebrated with a lick of paint and some swanky new furniture but there are some defiant souls who are determined to have a smoking hot time kicking up their heels until the second the law comes into effect. And some rather smug venues who boast coveted beer gardens or outdoor terrace areas who really aren’t too worried at all.

Where to enjoy a final fling: And if you can’t wait for the smoking ban: What a smoke free London means:
Whilst the law’s critics have attacked it as smacking of a Big Brother style nanny state, the law’s supporters have defended it as only having good intentions so that everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work free from secondhand smoke. Where New York and Dublin have led, a smoke free London will follow but not without first having some cracking final nights out dedicated to cigarettes and the art of smoking.

Need to know:
From Sunday 1st July 2007 it will be against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces.

Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person will also need to be smoke free.

No smoking signs will have to be displayed in all smoke free premises and vehicles.

Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas will no longer be allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke will have to go outside.

Managers of smoke free premises and vehicles will have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking.

If you are uncertain where you can or can't smoke, just look for the no-smoking signs or ask someone in charge.

What will happen if you break the ban:
If you don't comply with the new smoke free law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

Smoking in smoke free premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.

Failure to display no-smoking signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the smokefree premises or vehicle. Or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.

Failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on whoever manages or controls the smokefree premises or vehicle if prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed penalty notice for this offence.