UK Smoking legislation - Essay Example

However, the practice is allowed in a private house. If and when individuals contravene the specifications of this legislation, they can be fined £50-1000. The persons who occupy or are responsible for the management of a smoking free zone have a duty to ensure that there are no-smoking signs in positions which are visible to all visitors, employees and customers. The sign must be size A5 or larger. The correct wording on the signage should be: “No Smoking. It is against the law to smoke in these premises” (Hughes and Ferrett, 2009).

The words “these premises” can be replaced by the specific name of the premises, such as “this hotel”. Another obligation is for the public transport which includes trains, taxis and buses, as well as business vehicles which carry more than one employee to display a smoking prohibition sign that has to be at least 70 mm in diameter. The sign must appear in every compartment that is designated for passengers (Great Britain Health Committee, 2005). There are some considerations (Hughes and Ferrett, 2009) that smoke free premises should look into: Tower Hamlets has a high rate of poor health and low life expectancy as compared to other parts of the country.

Smoking happens to be the single biggest cause of death among the borough’s residents. Smoking is the reason for the wide gap in life expectancy between Tower Hamlets and the rest of UK. At least one person dies in the borough due to smoking. The London Borough of Tower Hamlet council supports the no-smoking policy. The council has innovated a scheme that is aimed at creating a healthier society, protected from the effects of second hand smoke. In 2009, the council, under the Tobacco Control Alliance umbrella, introduced the Smokefree Business Award as a step to enforce the smoke ban introduced in the country in 2007 (Tower Hamlets Council, 2010).

The program involves ensuring