Representative Body of the Church in Wales: Guidance Note on Smoke Free Premises Regulations 2007
The Smoke Free Premises Regulations 2007 come into effect at 6.00am on 2nd April 2007. From that date it will be illegal to smoke in any public building open to the public or any building that is a work place. A building is defined as any enclosed or substantially enclosed premises.
Churches and Church Halls are public buildings and workplaces (including vestries, parish offices etc.) Smoking cannot be permitted in these buildings from the 2nd April 2007.
Furthermore, public meetings including PCC meetings should be smoke-free wherever they are held including in parsonages.
The new law requires that smoke-free premises display ‘No Smoking’ signage. The design requirements for such signage are specified in the legislation. Appropriate signs are available free of charge from Welsh Assembly Government at www.smokingbanwales.co.uk
Signs should be placed at the entrances to buildings. In most cases the notice board will be the obvious and most appropriate location.
It is a requirement that managers of smoke-free premises are also required to try to stop anybody who is found to be smoking on those premises.
Private events, parties and celebrations in Church Halls must be smoke free and this should be made clear to the organisers of such events. The terms and conditions of the letting of halls should be amended accordingly.
The new law will be enforced by Local Authorities. There are fines for failing to display signage or failing to try to stop somebody from smoking on smoke-free premises. Clearly, church buildings are unlikely to be high on the ‘target’ list for enforcement but there will be facilities for the public to report breaches in the regulations. Enforcement will be, at least at first, through ‘advice and support’ according to official guidance from Welsh Assembly Government.
Detailed advice is available from www.smokingbanwales.co.uk
March 2007