Smoke-free legislation was introduced in England in 2007, banning smoking in nearly all enclosed workplaces and public spaces, following similar bans in Scotland and Wales. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the legislation.
On premises permitted exemptions under the smoke-free law, Health and Safety Legislation will continue to require employers to reduce the risk to the health and safety of their employees from second-hand smoking to as low a level as is reasonably practicable, and to encourage employers to adopt smoking policies in the workplace which give precedence to the wishes of non-smokers not to be exposed to second-hand smoke.