The Smoking Ban: You and Your Home

Under legislation brought in last year, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England are now smoke-free.

Many people have used the change in law as an opportunity to kick the habit, but if you simply can't quit yet, here's how the law affects you and your home.

• You CAN smoke in your home. However, if a member of Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) staff, or one of our representatives, e.g. a contractor, has an appointment to visit you at home, you should not smoke while they are there.

• Please do not smoke at least one hour before a scheduled visit, and open windows to allow any smoke to clear before our staff arrive.

• Under the new law, our staff and contractors have the right to cancel an appointment if their working conditions are deemed to be detrimental to health. This includes a smoky atmosphere.

• All common areas are subject to the legislation at all times and are now 'no smoking areas'. Anyone identified smoking in a no smoking area can be fined up to £200, or given a penalty notice of £50.

For more information about the law, visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.

If you'd like to get some help to quit smoking, call the National Health Service (NHS)Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169, for free advice to suit your needs.