The smokefree law has been introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Key points are:

On July 1st 2007, the smokefree law was introduced. It is now against the law to smoke in virtually all 'enclosed' and 'substantially enclosed' public places and workplaces. See below for definitions.

•  Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person must be smokefree at all times.
•  No-smoking signs must be displayed in all smokefree premises and vehicles.
•  Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas are no longer allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke has to go outside.
•  Managers of smokefree premises and vehicles have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking.
•  If you are uncertain where you can or can't smoke, just look for the no-smoking signs or ask someone in charge.