Smokefree Somerset - exemptions

Some places are exempt from the smoking legislation.

Frequently asked questions

1. What places are exempt under the regulations?
2. Can I smoke in my hotel room?
3. I am a Health Visitor, can I insist the client stop smoking when I visit them at home?

Answers

1. What places are exempt under the regulations?

The Choosing Health White Paper made a commitment that special arrangements may be needed for certain workplaces when considering the legislation. The limited exemptions from smokefree legislation are set out in the proposed Smokefree (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations. In most cases, exemptions do not apply to the entirety of premises, but rather limits smoking within premises to "designated rooms", that must meet certain requirements.

2. Can I smoke in my hotel room?

While smokefree legislation does not guarantee that people will get a smokefree hotel room, the regulations require that hotel proprietors specifically designate the hotel rooms that are not smokefree and ensure that hotel rooms for smoking are clearly sign posted.

3. I am a Health Visitor, can I insist the client stop smoking when I visit them at home?

Smokefree legislation will not require people to not smoke in private dwellings. More advice can be found in the The Royal College of Nursing's excellent guide Protecting Community Staff from Exposure to Second-hand Smoke. The RCN best practice guide for staff and managers gives helpful advice for how community-based staff can be protected from second-hand smoke during their work. 

Related links

External links

Royal College of Nursing - Publications