Lambeth Council issues first fines under smoking ban law

Lambeth Council has handed out its first fines under new laws that ban smoking in public places.

The council has issued £200 fixed penalty notices to two premises after they persistently defied new rules on smoking.

The council has so far focused its efforts on working with businesses and the public to help them understand the new legislation, but will now get tough on the small minority of businesses who flout the law.

In the first case, officers approached Chelsea Motor Company, a mechanics at 137a Wandsworth Road.

The premises had failed to display “no smoking” signs as it is required to by law, and officers found a member of staff smoking on site.

Officers advised the owner of his obligations, and sent the premises a warning letter, but when they returned two weeks later, signs were still not in place and the premises smelled of cigarette smoke.

New Image Barbers, 108c Streatham High Road, has also been issued a fixed penalty notice after it failed to display no-smoking signs.

Officers visited the shop twice to give verbal and written warnings, before issuing the penalty on the third visit.

Councillor Lib Peck, Cabinet member for environment and culture on the council, said: “The law was created to protect people from the damaging effects of smoking in public places and premises owners have a key responsibility to make sure the law is upheld.

“Despite warnings, these businesses failed to take their responsibility seriously.

"The council took a softly-softly approach in the first couple of months of the smoking ban, concentrating our efforts on working with businesses to help them comply with the law, but businesses have now had plenty of time to get used to the legislation and we are now getting tough.”

Despite the fines, the council says the overwhelming majority of businesses in Lambeth are complying with the new laws.

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