Exemptions are provided to allow managers to designate specific guest bedrooms in hotels, guest houses, inns, hostels private members clubs, if used exclusively for sleeping. Such rooms must be completely enclosed and designated in writing by the duty holder to the local council. Ventilation must not exhaust into a no-smoking area, doors leading to a no-smoking area must be mechanically closed and the doors must be clearly marked front and back, as a designated smoking room.
Care homes, hospices and prisons can designate individual bedrooms or rooms to be used only for smoking for use by persons over 18 year of age. Residental mental health units are subject to this same exemption but will become smokefree on 1 July 2008.
Other premises that may designate rooms for use for smoking also include oil rigs.
Specialist tobacconist shops will be allowed to allow people to sample cigars or pipes within their shop premises.
Research and testing facilities may also designate certain rooms for smoking but only while the rooms are being used for research or testing activities related to the law.
Where the artistic integrity makes it appropriate for a person who is taking part in a performance to smoke, this will not apply during rehearsals.
The above designated rooms would not be allowed to be used for other uses for example as a television room or library.
