The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned employers that it is their responsibility to ensure that the smoking ban is adhered to when it comes into effect on July 1st.
Membership adviser Philip Moody said: "The legal responsibility will be placed upon the business owner to make sure that his/her workplace becomes and remains smoke free.
"No-smoking signs will be a legal requirement, staff, customers and other visitors must be made aware that both premises and company vehicles must be smoke free, and any indoor smoking rooms must be removed."
A failure to comply with these duties could result in hefty fines, with bosses potentially being fined up to £1,000 for not providing the adequate signs and up to £2,500 for failing to enforce the ban in the workplace.
Many employers are also furious at suggestions from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) that employees who smoke ought to be given paid time off work in order to attend stop-smoking clinics.
