29/01/2020
Belfast Bar Breaches Smoke-Free Legislation
The owners of the Perch Rooftop bar in Belfast have been fined £1,000 for failing to comply with smoke-free legislation.
In the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland, the designated beer garden at the premises was found to be substantially enclosed.
Officers witnessed ashtrays on tables and people smoking without any intervention from staff to stop it.
The city centre bar, owned by Abacus Inns Limited, was found to be in breach of the Smoking (NI) Order 2006.
The firm pleaded guilty to failing to prevent people smoking within their premises and failing to display statutory smoke-free signage.
It follows visits by tobacco control officers on 15 February 2019.
As agreed at Belfast Magistrates Court, the owners will pay £750 in respect of their failure to prevent people smoking within their premises and £250 for failing to display statutory smoke-free signage and was also ordered to pay costs of £75.
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: "Smoke-free legislation was introduced to protect people from breathing in second-hand smoke in enclosed and substantially enclosed premises. The message from the courts today is that beer gardens must be in compliance with the regulations. Belfast City Council is committed to ensuring that all businesses in the city meet their obligations to safeguard the public under tobacco control legislation."
(JG/CM)
In the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland, the designated beer garden at the premises was found to be substantially enclosed.
Officers witnessed ashtrays on tables and people smoking without any intervention from staff to stop it.
The city centre bar, owned by Abacus Inns Limited, was found to be in breach of the Smoking (NI) Order 2006.
The firm pleaded guilty to failing to prevent people smoking within their premises and failing to display statutory smoke-free signage.
It follows visits by tobacco control officers on 15 February 2019.
As agreed at Belfast Magistrates Court, the owners will pay £750 in respect of their failure to prevent people smoking within their premises and £250 for failing to display statutory smoke-free signage and was also ordered to pay costs of £75.
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: "Smoke-free legislation was introduced to protect people from breathing in second-hand smoke in enclosed and substantially enclosed premises. The message from the courts today is that beer gardens must be in compliance with the regulations. Belfast City Council is committed to ensuring that all businesses in the city meet their obligations to safeguard the public under tobacco control legislation."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 January 2006
UCF urge lobbying of MP’s on smoking ban
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is urging members of the public to lobby their local MP’s in advance of the Westminster debate on comprehensive smokefree workplaces in England.
UCF urge lobbying of MP’s on smoking ban
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is urging members of the public to lobby their local MP’s in advance of the Westminster debate on comprehensive smokefree workplaces in England.
23 November 2011
No Smoking Day Details Outlined
A conference has heard that smokers across Northern Ireland are to be again urged to break free from their smoking habit. That was the challenge set this week by the No Smoking Day team and the Ulster Cancer Foundation at a regional conference to brief health professionals in preparation for No Smoking Day – Wednesday 14th March 2012.
No Smoking Day Details Outlined
A conference has heard that smokers across Northern Ireland are to be again urged to break free from their smoking habit. That was the challenge set this week by the No Smoking Day team and the Ulster Cancer Foundation at a regional conference to brief health professionals in preparation for No Smoking Day – Wednesday 14th March 2012.
31 May 2005
HPA calls for NI smoking ban
The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) has called on Health Minister, Shaun Woodward, to ban smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces in the province.
HPA calls for NI smoking ban
The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) has called on Health Minister, Shaun Woodward, to ban smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces in the province.
24 March 2006
UCF welcomes smokefree Scotland
Leading cancer charity, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed Scotland’s ban on smoking in enclosed public places which comes into effect at 6am on Sunday 26 March. Scotland is the first part of the UK to go smokefree and joins the growing international movement to control the damage tobacco does to health.
UCF welcomes smokefree Scotland
Leading cancer charity, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) has welcomed Scotland’s ban on smoking in enclosed public places which comes into effect at 6am on Sunday 26 March. Scotland is the first part of the UK to go smokefree and joins the growing international movement to control the damage tobacco does to health.
24 February 2005
Public opinion sought on smoke-free spaces
Health Minister Angela Smith today launched a week-long advertising campaign aimed at encouraging the general public to participate in the consultation on smoke-free public places.
Public opinion sought on smoke-free spaces
Health Minister Angela Smith today launched a week-long advertising campaign aimed at encouraging the general public to participate in the consultation on smoke-free public places.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.