Section 3 – Display of warning notices in and on no-smoking premises
10.Subsection (1) requires “no-smoking” signs to be conspicuously displayed in, on or near, and so as to be visible and legible from outside, no-smoking premises. The person who is in charge of those no-smoking premises, having the management or control of the premises, is liable for any failure to display such signs. Failure to display signs is an offence. The signs to be displayed must state that the premises are no-smoking premises and that it is an offence to smoke there or knowingly to permit smoking there.
11.Under subsection (2) it is a defence for anyone accused of failing to display “no-smoking” signs to prove that they or anyone working for them or representing them as an agent took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to ensure that signs were in place as required.
12.Subsection (3) gives the Scottish Ministers powers to make regulations which will provide further details as to the manner of display, form and content of the no-smoking signs. Regulations under this provision will be made under the affirmative resolution procedure, so that they cannot be made until the Parliament has approved a draft.
13.Subsection (4) provides that the offence of failing to display warning notices in and on no-smoking premises is subject to a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1000).
