Website of the UK government

Places where you can't smoke

Under the new regulations, it is against the law to smoke in:

• pubs, bars and nightclubs
• cafes and restaurants
• membership clubs
• indoor shopping centres
• offices and factories
• public transport
• work vehicles used by more than one person

Indoor smoking rooms are no longer allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke has to go outside.

• Questions about smokefree locations - Smokefree England Opens new window
• Read the smokefree regulations - Smokefree England Opens new window

Places where you can smoke

You can smoke in your own home (private dwelling), except for any part that is used solely as a place of work by more than one person. For more details, see 'Questions about smokefree locations' above.

You can smoke in your own car, as long as it is used primarily for private purposes.

You can smoke outdoors, in areas that are not 'substantially enclosed'. However, some places do have a smokefree policy, like train platforms and sports stadiums.

Exceptions

There are some specific exemptions from the smokefree law, with strict conditions. They allow designated rooms for smoking in certain types of places, including:

• bedrooms in hotels and guesthouses (but not dormitories)
• care homes and hospices
• prisons
• residential mental health units - only until 1 July 2008

For more information about places that are exempt, and about smoking if you receive care in your own home or you work in other people's homes, see the Smokefree England website.

• Exemptions from smokefree law - Smokefree England Opens new window

Penalties and fines

Breaking the smokefree law is a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

• smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) for 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) for whoever manages or occupies the smokefree premises or vehicle, or a maximum fine of £1,000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court

Local councils are responsible for providing advice and enforcing the smokefree law in England.

If you see smoking in a smokefree area

You can call 0800 587 1667 to report possible breaches of the law. The information will be passed to the local council to follow up as appropriate.

More useful links

• Smokefree England Opens new window
• Space to Breathe for Northern Ireland Opens new window
• Clearing the Air Scotland Opens new window
• Smoking Ban Wales Opens new window