HomeInformation for businesses
The following information is for employers, managers and business owners.If you are a business owner, you are responsible for enforcing smoke-free legislation on your premises.
This means you must display signs at each entrance to your premises and on smoke-free vehicles.
If you do not display a no smoking sign, you could receive a fixed penalty fine of £200. You could also be prosecuted and may face a maximum fine of £1,000.
If you fail to prevent people from smoking in designated smoke-free places and vehicles, it may lead to a maximum fine, upon conviction, of £2,500.
You'll find all the information you need to comply with the law here:
Information packs
All business owners in Belfast are supplied with an information pack which contains everything you need to comply with the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.If you haven't received a pack, call us on 028 9027 0428.
Policy documents
The sample policies below outline your responsibilities under smoke-free law. They also show the type of premises affected by the law, as well as explaining how the legislation is enforced.Hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, inns, residential members' clubs and hostels
Publication date: January 2007-
Download the sample policy for hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, inns, residential members' clubs and hostels
(PDF - 46KB)
Residential homes, hospices and nursing homes
Publication date: February 2007- Download the sample policy for residential homes, hospices and nursing homes (PDF - 48 KB)
General properties
Publication date: February 2007- Download the sample policy for general properties (PDF - 32KB)
Tobacco sales to under 18s
On 1 September 2008, the law controlling the sale of tobacco products in Belfast changed. The main changes were:-
Selling cigarettes
It's now illegal to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products (including cigarette papers) to anyone under 18. Business owners who sell these products to anyone under 18 can be fined up to £2,500.
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Warning notices
Shops selling tobacco must display a warning notice which reads "it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18." Anyone selling tobacco and not displaying the notice can be fined up to £1,000. You can request a copy of the notice by calling us on 028 9027 0428.
Inspections
Under smoke-free law, our officers can visit premises throughout Belfast to offer help and advice, check whether you are complying with the law and take legal action against offenders (where necessary).Our officers can carry out inspections in several different ways, including:
- a prior warning that they will visit your premises
- a check to see if the law is being upheld, via surveillance of your premises
- an advisory check on whether your business is complying with legislation
- as a response to complaints that you are not complying with the law.
Enforcing the law
If someone is smoking on your premises, and refuses to stop, use the following tips:- approach the person in a non-confrontational manner
- point out the no-smoking signs that you have displayed around your premises
- remind them that they are committing an offence by smoking and politely ask them to stop
- tell them where smoking is permitted if there is a smoking shelter or outside space available
- explain that it's 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. You should not put yourself in any danger.
