smoking ban (England) - what are the rules re smoking areas?

[dollybird]

our social club has its smoking area out the back through the fire escape door. Nine times out of ten the door is left open which means the smoke comes in and it feels pretty pointless having a smoking ban. Also, having the door open interferes with the air conditioning so it's nearly always too cold. What are the rules around smoking areas - do they have to be completely away from a building, does there need to be a door shut between the building and the smoking area? Also, how open does it need to be? This one is like a deck area against two sides of the building with a roof over it. TIA

The rules (in the Health Act 2006) ban smoking only in those areas which are enclosed or substantially enclosed. "Enclosed" or "substantially enclosed" places are defined here, so you might want to have a look. You could always contact your local council on an anonymous basis to get some advice?

Isn't leaving a fire door open illegal? I'm sure it is.

I thought that too. They don't like to risk getting shut out and having to knock on the door! And the club don't want them going out the front door, or they'll just smoke out the front making the place look untidy

I think the area meets with the regs in that it has a roof but half the sides are open, but I'm sure the door shouldn't be open so the smoke can get in, otherwise what's the point? we will prob speak to the committee first.

Isn't leaving a fire door open illegal? I'm sure it is

Depends on whether it's a fire break or a fire exit. Internal fire doors are the ones which have to be closed because they slow down the spread of fire and allow escape. But even these can be left open if they are the right type, ie the ones held open by magnets which release when the fire alarm is triggered.