UK Smoking Regulations

Smoking is now banned across the UK in all company vehicles, including light commercials, likely to be used as a workplace by more than one person, regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time.

Drivers who flout the rules could be fined anything from £50 to £200. Failure to display no smoking signs in smoke-free vehicles as required by the legislation van result in a fixed penalty notice of £200 or a fine of up to £1,000. While employers who fail to enforce the rules could face a penalty of up to £2,500.

In order to encourage drivers not to smoke many light commercials such as the Fiat Ducato Van now come without an ashtray and cigarette lighter as standard (although they are still available as a cost option).

Your Company Policy

Under the legislation, employers, managers and those in charge of smoke-free premises and vehicles will need to:

• If not already in place it is now essential for employers to introduce a smoking policy. This should be implemented following consultation with the workforce and should comply with the new legislation
• Generate awareness of new law and new company policy to employees via posters, emails and through the existing management structure.
• Update staff policy handbook and ensure all staff sign for a copy.
• Give notice of when the policy is to come into force.
• Ensure offenders are treated consistently.
• Make it clear what will happen to offenders.
• Display no-smoking signs in shared cars and other company vehicles.
• Provide staff with support to quit smoking.
• Ensure staff know where they can smoke if they want to.
• Identify areas where smoking will constitute an offence and display 'no smoking' signs.
• Take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are legally required to be smoke-free and ensure that no-one smokes in smoke-free premises or vehicles.
• Companies and drivers need to get smarter to avoid congestion which causes further stress to smokers.

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