Anti Smoking Laws
As most people will now be aware smoking will be banned in the workplace and enclosed public places across England from 6am Sunday 1 July, the ban is already in force in Ireland, Scotland and Wales with Northern Ireland being smoke free from 30 April.
The law however is more complicated and affects farms more than was initially anticipated, farms, more often than not are made up of private areas such as the house which is exempt from the ban and the remainder being the workplace, which is not. Smoking will be banned in all enclosed and substantially enclosed farm buildings regardless of whether the farm has any employees or is only family labour. Smoking will also be prohibited in all farm vehicles including tractors that are used by more than one person.
No smoking signs will be a legal requirement and will have to be displayed at the entrance of all non smoking buildings and farm vehicles. Smoking in a smoke free building or vehicle will incur a fine of up to £200, failure to display non smoking signs will be punishable by a fine of up to £1000 and failure to prevent smoking in a smoke free place can incur a fine of up to £2500.
Finally for those of you wanting to have a cigarette on the farm legally from 1 July the following will be allowed, Cabless Tractor/Combine, Dutch Barn and Outside!
For further help or information call 0800 169 1697 or visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk
NFU members can obtain free initial advice from NFU CallFirst on 0870 845 8458
- Ashby de la Zouch
- 01530 412821
- Banbury
- 01295 271 555
- Knutsford
- 01565 757970
- Market Harborough
- 01858 410 200
- Newark
- 01949 851815
- Southampton
- 02380 883150
- Stafford
- 01785 220 044
- Worcester
- 01905 453275
