Smoking Ban Guidance

SMOKING BAN

WALES went 'smoke-free' on 2 April 2007 and England joins it on 1 July.

The whole of barristers' chambers will almost always be subject to the ban - including unshared barristers' rooms and common parts. However, for barristers who work at home the ban will usually only apply to common parts and parts used solely for work by more than one person who does not live in the building.

The legislation does not just mean that no smoking is allowed in smoke-free places. It also requires that no-smoking signs meeting statutory requirements must be displayed in a prominent position at every entry to smoke-free premises. This means that if chambers have several sets of rooms in one building signs need to be displayed at every
separate entry, although smaller signs can be used if the premises are only used by members and staff of chambers or
are within a larger smoke-free building.

All persons in charge of or concerned with the management of smoke-free premises are under a duty to stop people smoking there, and to ensure that the premises comply with the signage requirements. This means heads of chambers
and either members of management committees or, where there is no such committee, all members of chambers are subject to this duty. Subject to certain defences, it can be a criminal offence to breach these duties.

Detailed guidance, including downloadable signs, can be found at http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/.