A smoking ban will come into force from 02 April 2007.
It will affect all enclosed public places and workplaces in Wales.
They will need to be smokefree.
These include business vehicles used by more than one person.
They will need to carry no smoking signs.
Similar legislation will be introduced to Northern Ireland on 30 April 2007. And to England on 01 July 2007.
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: “The legislation will apply to company cars used by more than one person when they cross the border into Wales from April 2nd onwards.
“Enforcement Officers in Wales will be providing advice and support to businesses about compliance.”
Last year Scotland introduced a no-smoking ban that affected commercial vehicles. These were required to be smokefree.
However, the legislation affecting the rest of the United Kingdom is more far-reaching.
The smokefree rules in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
- All company cars and vans used by more than one person to be smokefree and display a no-smoking sign
- Smoking permitted in vehicles used by one person only
- Smoking is allowed in privately run vehicles…
- …But not in privately run vehicles where business use exceeds 50% of the annual mileage and passengers may be carried on company business
The fines for ignoring the new smokefree rules include:
- Smoking in a smokefree vehicle – fine up to £200
- Failure to display no smoking signs in vehicles – fine up to £1000
- Companies failing to prevent smoking in a vehicle – £2500 fine
There is further information on how the new smokefree regulations affect each UK country in our Law & Tax section. Click here www.businessmotoring.co.uk and then choose the appropriate ‘Law and smoking in vehicles’ story.
Other sources of information on the new smokefree regulations can be found at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk, www.smokingbanwales.co.uk, and for Northern Ireland www.spacetobreathe.org.uk.
Up to £2500 fine for ignoring new legislation
