The days of lighting up on the dancefloor are almost up for English clubbers. From Sunday, July 1st, 2007 there will be a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places.
British government MPs voted in the legislation back in February 2006, but the smoking ban will finally come into effect next month. Enclosed public venues will be required to display non-smoking signs while patrons who are caught sneaking in a fag may receive an on-the-spot £50 fine. Businesses can also be fined up to £2,500 for failing to comply with the new restrictions.
The ban was passed to protect workers and hospitality employees in particular from the effects of passive smoking or second-hand smoke. However, civil liberties activists have argued that the ban is an infringement on the rights of private businesses. There is no opt out clause to the ban.
Britain follows in the footsteps of other UK member countries Northern Ireland and Wales, which recently enacted blanket smoking bans in April 2007. Scotland has had a similar ban in place since March 2006.