I have only stayed in hotels in the UK twice since the ban came in. The first one in Aberdeen allowed smoking, but the one in Pitlochry was all non-smoking, as are all Shearings hotels.

My auntie stayed at a hotel in Glasgow and friends at a hotel in Edinburgh and they were the same.

I believe the hotels can choose whether to have smoking rooms or not so it may be a case of finding one.

luci

Hi, lassigirl. I was a smoker but have not smoked for a number of years now. We were on holiday last year and the room we were in obviously had just had a smoker in it before us. We were nearly sick with the smell of stale smoke and kept spraying the room to get rid of the smell, even off our pillows. I hope this ban is well and truly on in all hotels! Sorry!

digby I agree with what you say, smoking rooms should not be given to non smokers, but before the no-smoking ban there was always the choice of smoking or non- smoking, and I don't see why this can't still apply.

Before this turns into a pro/anti smoking subject, please bear into mind that legislation on the smoking ban does not extend to hotel accommodation.

It is up to the proprietor to determine the number of smoking/non-smoking rooms and my advice would be to request a non smoking room when booking and if a smoking room is provided, to request to be moved to a room where smoking is not allowed.

MarkJ HT Mod

Most B&B's I've noticed usually have a no smoking policy - don't know if it's to do with their own preference or cheaper insurance

I reiterate what the others have said, it's not a blanket ban on hotel rooms but many hotels and even chains have decided to become completely non smoking.

One of the local 'Quality' hotels we use from work has one floor with smoking rooms.

You may find it harder to find a hotel where you can have a puff in your room they are around.

I also agree if you request non smoking and are put in a smoking room then insist that you change and if they cannot move you then insist on some money back.

What UK law?

Each country of the UK has it's own slightly different law. I know that the English law speaks of substantially enclosed public places, the first part is generally taken as meaning a roof and 50% of sides but the second part would seem to rule out hotel rooms. However, it also covers enclosed workplaces and assuming that the hotel provides housekeeping services at some time of the day the room will be someones workplace for 20 minutes. That seems to be stretching the point a touch too far but I can well imagine British managers deciding to ban it rather than put a bit of brain power into devising a legal method of working without upsetting the customers. Welsh law is basically the same as English in it's coverage but I think the method of enforcement might be slightly different. The company faces a fine (£2500 per offence in Wales) if they allow staff or customers to break the law. I have no idea what the Scottish and N. Ireland versions say.

There is a similar issue on railway stations. The only parts covered under English/Welsh smoking laws are the substantially enclosed public bits but the train companies made a joint decision to ban it everywhere, using ancient powers under the Railway Byelaws, to avoid be prosecuted (or having to do any serious thinking). They then put up signs saying it was in line with Government legislation and have now caused such a row with the government they may have to change their rules!

And a word about Italian hotels, if you look in the Italian forum there are reports of a total ban in rooms in Venice and Garda

Hotels in Scotland, England, Wales and Italy can have rooms in which you can smoke. Hotels are exempt from the smoking laws. It is up to each individual hotel to decide whether or not they wish to go smoke free. Therefore it is up to us, when booking, to ask for whichever type of room we require. If you wish to smoke in your room, you'll have to find a hotel which has rooms where you can smoke.
The insurance for hotels is reduced if they don't allow smoking, which may be the reason behind some of them banning it altogether.

As Steve points out, there is no such thing as a UK smoking ban. Each nation has its own smoking ban, with differing legislation and policy.

In Scotland for example, hotel rooms are not completely exempt from the legislation. However, hotel proprietors do have discretion under the legislation to provide smoking rooms if they wish, providing that any designated smoking rooms have a ventilation system which is not shared by or ventilates into any non-smoking part of the establishment. The legislation in Scotland also provides rights for staff who may have to work in designated smoking rooms.

Rather than to generalise about the UK on this issue, it may be safer to consult legislation for the individual country which you may be visiting.

David

Thanks everyone !
I didn't realize it was so complicated regarding different countries in the UK,( I live in Germany ) But I get the impression it is still up to the individual hotel as to whether they provide smoking rooms or not, so it's best to check before booking, and it would seem that there arn't many that do !
As to Venice and Lake Garda , I am sure there are some hotels offering smoking rooms, as in the rest of Italy.

They then put up signs saying it was in line with Government legislation and have now caused such a row with the government they may have to change their rules!

As far as company property is concerned they won't have to change their rules - just the signs. They have to comply with the legislation with reagrds to where smoking is not allowed but any company can adopt and enforce on their property their own additional rules if they want to. Thus the legislation says that they must ban smokiong in enclosed spaces but they are free to choose to bring in an additional smoking ban anywhere on thier property if they want to. For example the University I work at bans smoking within 6 mteres of any doorway and they can legitimately do this as they own the entire campus and even the roadways etc are University property and not public rights of way.

SM

Yes, our company was already completely non smoking indoors before the ban, but people used to just hang around doorways (where there were wall mounted ashtrays). We now have a large smoking area with a shelter and benches (the shelter is roof only, no sides but they might add a back onto it if we find it isn't providing much in the way of shelter in the winter) and this is now the only outdoor space where people are allowed to smoke, that and the surrounding area as depicted by yellow lines.

So far as hotels in England having smoking rooms I would think that any hotel which has decided to still provide these rooms will consult cleaning staff on whether they are happy to still clean them or not.

The same applies to prisons by the way. They are only allowed to smoke in their cells, they are classed as private rooms.

Oh Dear , Looks like it is easier to find a smoking room in a prison , than in a hotel.

The smoking ban has made so happy when I go to the pub. The smoking ban wasn't brought in for the likes me but to protect the workers.

I just wished the whole of europe would bring in a ban.

I have nothing against smokers enjoying themselves but the law says in a public place smoking is not allowed some hotels might see this to mean hotel rooms as well. I always ask for non smoking rooms where ever I go.

I've just made a booking for a hotel (Holiday Inn) on East Midlands Airport for xmas eve and had the option of a smoking or non-smoking room.

Sanjiiiiii

Some of the Marriott hotels still have smoking rooms. You cant book a smoking room on line but book a room and then ring up with your booking reference. They will check their allocation (just to make sure there are smoking rooms left) and guarantee you a smoking room on your arrival.

Travelinn now no smoking.

Travelodge still has smoking rooms.

Maybe we should provide a list of hotels that have smoking rooms.

Gail

I have absolutely no objection to people smoking in designated smoking rooms ....

... as long as they clean it themselves the next day instead of forcing some poorly paid sod into doing it!!!

The smoking bans were brought in to PROTECT the rights of workers!

Could I just remind members not to go into the pro -vs- anti smoking debate as this topic otherwise will be locked.

Thanks

MarkJ HT Mod

The room I was allocated when I went to the Hemera in Turkey was impregnated with smoke.The curtains were supposed to be cream but were kahki!(pre refubishment)and stunk to high heaven.The lad who brought our cases thought I was mad when I said I couldnt stay there for 2 weeks.We were moved to a room which was a no smoking room.I didnt know when I booked we could have a choice.I used to smoke 40 a day many years ago and can not stand the smell now.