With the smoking ban due to come into effect in England on July 1st, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is advising all SMEs to be prepared in order to avoid paying fines.

Many firms are still struggling to understand the government requirements, despite local councils attempting to work with businesses to help them understand.

SMEs are advised that from July 1st, they will be required to display 'no smoking' signs, ensure that both employees and the public know that an area is non-smoking, ensure that there is no smoking in non-smoking areas including company vehicles and abolish smoking rooms.

If SME bosses do not comply with these regulations they could face hefty penalties which some say are unfair.

Craig Morgan of the FSB said: "The smoking ban is an important safeguard for the health of employees and offers valuable protection from second hand smoke and associated illnesses.

"However, it is misguided to penalise businesses more than smokers - failing to prevent smoking has a £2,500 fine for the company, whereas smoking in a non-smoking area has a fine of only £50."

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