Enforcement of smoke-free law

The Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 is enforced by officers from our Environmental Health Service.

Our officers visit premises throughout Belfast to give advice and assistance to businesses and, where necessary, to take legal action against offenders.

Working with business owners

We work closely with business owners to ensure they comply with the smoke-free law.

All business premises have been provided with an information pack outlining their duties under the law.

We have also held a series of seminars to provide support and advice to businesses.

Our officers have the power to enter premises to find out if the law is being upheld.

They also assess whether managers have taken all reasonable steps to ensure people do not smoke on their premises.

Inspections

Our enforcement officers can carry out inspections in several different ways.

They include:

prior warning from officers that they will visit the premises
a check to see if the law is being upheld, via surveillance of the premises
an advisory check on whether the business is complying with the law
as a response to complaints that the business is not complying with the law.

Officers will approach businesses in a non-confrontational manner at all times.

Breaches of smoke-free law

You can report breaches of smoke-free law by calling our compliance line on 0845 603 2500.

Calls will be charged at a local rate.

All reports will be investigated by our officers.

Enforcing smoke-free law on your premises

If someone is smoking on your premises, the following tips may be helpful:

approach the person in a non-confrontational manner
point out the no-smoking signs
remind them that they are committing an offence by smoking and politely ask them to stop
tell them where smoking is permitted if you have a smoking shelter or outside space
explain that it is an offence for you to let them continue to smoke
if they continue to smoke, refuse to serve them and politely ask them to leave
if they refuse to leave, use your usual policy for dealing with antisocial behaviour
if a customer is abusive or threatening, call the police. Do not put yourself in any danger.