The Federation of Small Businesses has warned SMEs that failure to comply with the smoking ban may face fines.

Despite local council involvement, many companies are not aware of their legal responsibilities come July 1st, and this could result in them being fined up to £2500.

Craig Morgan of the FSB indicated that the organisation was concerned about the impact of these fines on small businesses: "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.”

English businesses must implement the following from July 1st 2007:

• Display ‘no smoking’ signs
• Ensure that their employees and the public know that an area is non-smoking
• Ensure that there is no smoking in non-smoking areas (this includes company vehicles)
• Abolish smoking rooms

For more information about the smoking ban and no smoking policies (including ordering ‘no smoking’ signs and other resources), visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk, or call the Smokefree England information line on 0800 169 1697