Contact UsWe’ve become smoke free - what does it mean for you?
By now most people should be aware that new smoke free laws came into affect across England on 1 July 2007. The law was introduced to protect employees and members of the public from the harmful effects of second hand smoke. This means that you can no longer smoke in public places or workplaces if they are ‘substantially enclosed’.
Does this include our communal entrances and spaces?
Yes - the no smoking law applies to all enclosed communal areas of buildings and affects people with shared access to their homes like communal corridors, staircases or lifts, or in communal areas like lounges. These enclosed spaces are also classed as places of work for maintenance and cleaning. Anyone caught smoking in these areas is now breaking the law and penalties include fixed fines of £30 and £50 rising to £200 if a case is proven in court.
How will I know where people can or can’t smoke?
TVH staff have been out and about in May and June putting up no smoking stickers (similar to the one pictured below) in communal areas, to help you identify where you can and can’t smoke. Please make note of them and don’t ignore them.
What about my own home?
For most of the time smoking behind your own front door will be up to individual households - you will not be breaking the law. However, TVH has a duty of care to its own employees, so we now advise staff not to visit any dwelling where they may be in danger of inhaling smoke fumes. The guideline to customers is not to let anyone smoke in your home for at least one hour before you are due to receive a pre- arranged visit from a TVH employee or contractor.
If you or a person in your household smokes, failure to comply with this request could delay essential maintenance work to your home. Repeated instances may even involve recharges to customers if, for example, TVH is billed for a call out charge by contractors.
If you unsure about how the no smoking rules affect you please call our customer services centre on (01642) 261100 and help us stay within the law and stay smoke free.
