Newcastle City Council

If you manage or are in charge of any premises or vehicles that the law applies to, you have a legal responsibility to ensure they are smokefree. To ensure that your organisation stays compliant with the smokefree law you must continue to:

• Display no-smoking signs – the law requires you to display appropriate signs at each entrance to the premises. 
  
• Remove ashtrays, any other ash collection devices and close existing indoor smoking rooms
  
• Promote a smokefree approach by continuing to make all your staff aware of the requirement to be smokefree ensuring that infringements by employees, customers, members etc are dealt with using agreed procedures. You may wish to adopt a more formal policy – download example smokefree policy (PDF 33kb). For advice on reasonable steps to take if someone does smoke in a smokefree  place you are responsible for download flowchart (PDF 441kb)
• Move smokers outside – remember, there is no legal requirement to make provision for smokers but if you choose to do so, there are likely to be licensing and planning issues you must take into consideration.
  

What signage do I have to display?

All smokefree premises and vehicles need to display no-smoking signs that meet the requirements of the law. Even if your premises have been smokefree for a considerable period of time you will legally have to display no smoking signs. No-smoking signs need to be displayed in a prominent position at every entrance to smokefree premises. These must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be A5 in size (210mm x 148mm)
  
• Display the international no-smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter
  
• Read : ‘No smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises’  Substitute words can be used for ‘these premises’ provided they refer to your particular premises eg ‘this hotel’ 

Download A5 smokefree sign (PDF 52kb)

A no smoking sign with only the no smoking symbol (min. 70mm diameter in red) may be displayed at an entrance not in public use - ie staff entrances - if at least one standard A5 no smoking sign is already being displayed on the premises.

Download symbol only sign (PDF 45kb)

Vehicle Signs

No smoking signs in vehicles must carry the no smoking symbol at least 70mm in diameter.

Where can I get the signs?

Signs can be either downloaded free and printed or ordered from Smokefree England, Alternatively contact the Smokefree England information line 0800 169 1697.