A new law went into effect in England on 1 July, banning the smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes, including water pipes also known as shisha and hookah pipes, in public places.

Smoking will be banned in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces. Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas will no longer be allowed and work vehicles used by more than one indivudal will also need to be smoke-free. Anyone caught smoking in a non-smoking area will be given a fixed penalty notice of GBP 50 (USD 100.90), reduced to GBP 30 if paid within 15 days. This fine could go up to GBP 200 if a person refuses to pay the original penalty. Fines can only be handed out by environmental health officers. The ban follows similar smoking bans already in place in Wales and Scotland.