Will the smoking ban apply?

frivolous_fay

Sorry if this isn't the right forum, but I'm sure there's someone here with a good knowledge of this question.


I live in a block of 22 flats which share a communal hallway and 3 sets of stairs.

Will smoking be stopped by law here?

Points of note:

- The communal area is the place of work of the cleaner
- 22 flats couples/families use this area, so it's not really private
- Yes, it's residential, but none of us 'reside' in the communal area

You can probably tell I'm not pro smoking, but I'd really like to know either way! We will either rent or sell the flat but it would be good to know if the communal areas will continue to worsen.

lynzpower

I would have thought so, but to be honest, its more an enforcement issue than anything else. Who will enforce it?

Our communal hallways werent non smoking and there was a woman who constantly lit up as she was leaving. Im a smoker, but it knocked me sick. Someone must have complained so a no smoking sign went up, but the place still smelt of smoke. unless you have a concierge/ security gurad I dont know who would enforce it or how.

Debt_Free_Chick

Enforcement is down to the Local Council.

Will the ban apply to a communal area in a block of flats? possibly, as it's an enclosed public space - or is it a private space?

Have a look at the website

frivolous_fay

Hell, I'll enforce it if necessary.

The lady who has recently taken over management of the block has successfully got rid of the 10+ bikes and pushchairs in the lobby by threatening a £50 removal and storage fee. I'd say similarly scary notices might do the job for the smokers

Yesterday I finally caught the person who sits at the top of the main stairs, dropping ash and butts all over the stairs. It's my direct neighbour and we aren't exactly friendly as it is. The cleaner appears to be on strike at the moment so you can imagine how charming it is to use those stairs - it makes such a great impression on potential tenants.

Now to catch the ones who stub out butts on the carpet tiles and the storage heaters.. heh.

frivolous_fay

The website doesn't bother to mention shared residential areas. I did email them a question (as invited), and they were unable to answer the question.

Bargain_Rzl

frivolous_fay wrote: »

Yesterday I finally caught the person who sits at the top of the main stairs, dropping ash and butts all over the stairs. It's my direct neighbour and we aren't exactly friendly as it is. The cleaner appears to be on strike at the moment

We have a smoker in our communal areas too. It's the cleaner :rolleyes:

She doesn't leave any mess or burn marks, but many's the time I've approached the front door of my flat (or come out from the inside) and been hit by a wave of tobacco stink :mad:

frivolous_fay

I've just rung the council and the chap sounded pretty sure that as an enclosed public space, it qualifies. I'm slightly unsure about the 'public' element, but I'll push my luck with the management company to see how far it holds

And Rzl, that sucks!

kissingthepink

Surely from 1st July you will just have to call 999 if you see somebody smoking a cigarette in an enclosed or semi enclosed area? The law is being broken and lives are at risk! I am sure they would have to react?

Idiophreak

frivolous_fay wrote: »

Hell, I'll enforce it if necessary.

I'd be much too scared in this day and age...at best you'll get a mouthful of abuse...at worst a stabbing....and they know where you live...

scope

Surely it cant be classified as "public"? Having said that, I suspect the managment company will put the ban in place anyway, simply because they can and the whole country is going anti-smoking these days.

wecanhelpu

kissingthepink wrote: »

Surely from 1st July you will just have to call 999 if you see somebody smoking a cigarette in an enclosed or semi enclosed area? The law is being broken and lives are at risk! I am sure they would have to react?

999 is for emergencies only. You're not one of the people in this story are you?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3806299.stm