Enforcing the Law
How will the law be enforced?
Authorised officers of the local authority will have powers to enter all premises affected by this legislation in order to check that the law is being obeyed. They will also be able to give out fixed penalty notices to people whom they believe are committing, or have committed, an offence under the legislation.
Torfaen has been visiting pubs and workplaces since the new laws came into force, offering support and advice and carrying out enforcement activities as appropriate.
If anyone living or working in the Torfaen area finds that smoking is taking place in a premises which should be smoke free, they can contact the Public Protection division on 01633 647623, or they can contact the confidential Welsh Assembly phone line once this is available.
What penalties are proposed for those who break the law?
Individuals may be fined a fixed penalty of £50 for smoking in no-smoking premises. For a summary conviction, the maximum fine will be up to £200.
The manager or person in control of any no-smoking premises could be fined a fixed penalty of £200 for failing to display warning notices in no-smoking premises. For a summary conviction, the maximum fine will be up to £1,000.
The manager or person in control of any no-smoking premises could be fined up to £2,500 for allowing others to smoke in no smoking premises.
The offence of obstruction of an officer authorised by the local authority to enforce the legislation carries a maximum fine of £1,000.