Privately-owned businesses in England have been urged to make sure they introduce a no-smoking policy ahead of new laws being introduced on July 1st.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has said that firms need to undertake a number of measures to ensure they comply with the workplace smoking ban from this summer, such as putting up no-smoking signs and ensuring that staff refrain from smoking in company vehicles.
Employers who fail to put up these signs could see a fine of up to £1,000, with workers who flout the ban also at risk of a financial punishment, warned FPB senior membership representative Philip Moody.
"Staff need to know that they, as well as the company, are at risk of a fine. Employees could face a fixed penalty notice of £50 or be fined up to £200 in court," he added.
Last week, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published a report proposing that workers who smoke should get time off in addition to their annual leave in order to help them kick the habit.
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