"it Is Against The Law To Smoke On These Premises"....

[ToraToraTora]

why is this sign necessary? I assme it is also against the law to commit armed robbery but there is no sign for that.

[ummmm]

Some countries don't have the smoking ban and the UK does get it's fair share of tourists.

[Canary42]

The difference is that in the case of smoking, the premises may be prosecuted.

But when a bank is robbed for example, the bank won't be prosecuted.

So the premises display the sign to protect themselves from prosecution.

[EDDIE51]

Yes when I was the designated premises supervisor for our community center bar I was personally responsible for ensuring that no one smoked on the premises even if I was not there. A £50,000 fine and 6 months jail is the maximum penalty for allowing smoking and that is payable personally.

[Maydup]

We don't bother with a sign. I'm not fan of DO NOT signs - they are nasty and unwelcoming and will not stop the idiot who decides to smoke indoors.

[Tuvok]

Amy work won't give me a supersoaker filled with petrol - I've asked a few times! Grr!

It would solve the problem and stop me having to tell them to shift!

[Buenchico]

>>>why is this sign necessary?

Er, possibly because it's a criminal offence (punishable by a fine of up to £1000) not to display such a sign?
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/28/part/1/chapter/1/crossheading/nosmoking-signs

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2272356/Van-driver-fined-200-displaying-No-Smoking-sign--times-penalty-actually-lighting-company-vehicle.html

https://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/2011/08/300-fine-for-failing-to-display-state-sanctioned-no-smoking-signs/

[ToraToraTora]

there are many crimes, there is not a sign warning against all of them on all premises is there?

[ludwig]

// Er, possibly because it's a criminal offence (punishable by a fine of up to £1000) not to display such a sign? //

True. There's a big sign where I work saying 'It's a criminal offence not to display a sign saying that's it's a criminal offence to smoke on these premises'.

When I was younger they just had signs saying 'No smoking'. It seemed to work OK.

[stuey]

We just have a red circle containing a cigarette in the middle with a diagonal red line crossing it...Much simpler and quite obvious in its meaning.