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Smoking Advice For Rallys
My understanding is that the law being introduced in England is based on the same concept as the law that we have been putting up with in Scotland for the last 15 months.
If so any structure enclosed with more than 50% of the perimeter walls, not including doors which could be closed, is defined as an enclosed space and therefore subject to the ban.
This extends to smoking shelters, where the only likely occupants will be smokers.
Only a few exemptions are made, places of residence such as care homes, prisons and most disgracefully the Scottish Parliament, where specific rooms are provided.
Perhaps they are fearful of the reaction of 80% of those who took part in the consultation who wanted landlords to have the right to choose whether they were smoking or non smoking establishment.
Some local authorities here have employed teams of enforcers to check on premises, while as indicted others have set up hotlines where complaints can be made.
Complainers are then offered up to £50 for reporting breaches of the law, while those in breach of the law face a £50 fine.
Licensees are subject to fines ranging from £250 to £2500 fine. Depending on their complicity and number of reported offences.
The law as stated is that it is an offence to smoke or knowingly permit smoking in an enclosed public space or workplace. Where a public space is defined as any space where members of the public, including club members can assemble.
We have had instances North of the Border where enforcers have warned rally organisers that they would be prosecuted if they did not prevent people from smoking in the marquees.
So as a precaution most rally organisers put up No Smoking signs and provide gazebos as smoking shelters.
Perhaps because of the zeal with which the ban has been promoted most smokers have grudgingly accepted the ban and comply with the rules.
One positive side effect is that the craick in smoking shelters means that you get to meet a lot more people than you used to at rallies.
Best Regards
Steve Wykes
Regional Rep Scotland
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