These Regulations revoke and replace the Smoke-free (Signs) Regulations 2007. The objective is to relax the smoke-free signs requirements. While it remains a legal duty to display at least one legible no-smoking sign in smoke-free premises and vehicles, the owners and managers will have discretion as to the design and location of no-smoking signs.
The Health Act 2006 provides a duty for no- smoking signs to be displayed in smoke-free premises. The 2007 Regulations specified detailed requirements for the location and design of the no-smoking signs in smoke-free premises. The 2007 Regulations also set out a duty in relation to smoke-free vehicles which is equivalent to that of the Act and specified detailed requirements in respect of smoke-free signs in smoke-free vehicles in England.
The 2007 Regulations were one part of a package of primary and secondary legislation (including five sets of regulations) which meant that from 1 July 2007, all enclosed, or substantially enclosed, public places and workplaces became smoke-free, including all pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants, shopping centres, offices and all public and work transport.
