On 1 July 2007, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England became smoke-free. It is against the law to smoke in these places.

Under the regulations, it is against the law to smoke in:

• pubs, bars and nightclubs
• cafes and restaurants
• membership clubs
• indoor shopping centres
• offices and factories
• public transport
• work vehicles used by more than one person

Indoor smoking rooms are no longer allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke has to go outside.

• Questions about smoke-free locations – Smoke-free England  
• Read the smoke-free regulations – Smoke-free England

You can smoke in your own home (private dwelling), except for any part that is used solely as a place of work by more than one person.

You can smoke in your own car, as long as it is used primarily for private purposes.

You can smoke outdoors, in areas that are not 'substantially enclosed'. However, some places do have a smoke-free policy, like train platforms and sports stadiums.

There are some specific exemptions from the smoke-free law, with strict conditions. They allow designated rooms for smoking in certain types of places, including:

• bedrooms in hotels and guesthouses (but not dormitories)
• care homes and hospices
• prisons

For more information about places that are exempt, and about smoking if you receive care in your own home or you work in other people's homes, see the Smoke-free England website.

• Exemptions from smoke-free law – Smoke-free England

Breaking the smoke-free law is a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

• smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) for the person smoking, or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court
• failure to display no-smoking signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) for whoever manages or occupies the smoke-free premises or vehicle, or a maximum fine of £1,000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court

Local councils are responsible for providing advice and enforcing the smokefree law in England.

You can call 0800 587 1667 to report possible breaches of the law. The information will be passed to the local council to follow up as appropriate.

Suppliers of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes are often large international criminal gangs, making huge profits. HM Revenue and Customs has already significantly reduced the problem of illicit tobacco, seizing billions of cigarettes, securing numerous convictions and confiscating millions of pounds in the process.

Children and young people can be particularly effected by illicit tobacco as it makes smoking more affordable and there are no age checks that you would find from reputable retailers.

Help to stop the smugglers, counterfeiters and fraudsters, create a level playing field for all local businesses and help stop criminal profits. If you know of any premises buying or selling duty free cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco where they live or work, please contact our hotline on 0800 595000.