EC&O Venues Earls Court And Olympia

EC&O Venues – Our Smoking Policy

In response to the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006, the Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007, and the Smoke-free (Signs) Regulations 2007, introduced to protect workers and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, EC&O Venues (EC&O) enforces a no smoking policy. This applies across all our venues – Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Olympia Exhibition Centre and the Brewery (Chiswell Street, London EC2).

The Policy

Banning smoking

In the past, venues operated by EC&O have been ‘no smoking venues’ by general agreement, however, smoking is now prohibited within our premises, except in certain designated external areas.

If you are new to our venues, and cannot easily find an external smoking area, or are in doubt, please ask a member of our staff.

Smoking is only permitted in the following areas:

Earls Court 1

• The smoking booth on the Warwick Rd forecourt opposite Reception
• The designated smoking area at the top of the Warwick Road steps (Box office side)
• The designated smoking area between A and B gates on the Eardley Crescent (left) side of the building
• The designated smoking area between D and E gates on the Philbeach Gardens (right) side of the building

Earls Court 2

• The designated smoking area outside the main entrance by the lift to the Red car park
• The designated smoking area outside the south west exit doors
• The designated smoking area outside the North Hall glass doors

Olympia

• L Yard – Smoking Shelter, however smoking is permitted in all external areas
• G Gate – Smoking Shelter, however smoking is allowed in all external areas

the Brewery

• Courtyard outside the Octagon Reception area
• EC&O provides ashtrays for smokers to dispose of cigarette butts and other smoking waste at all outside locations where smoking is allowed.

Signage

EC&O displays signs that make it clear that smoking is prohibited on its premises. These signs are located at all entrances to its buildings.

Enforcement

Visitors, exhibitors, organisers or members of venue staff who are observed smoking outside designated smoking areas will be reminded of the smokefree law and EC&O’s smoking policy and asked to stop and move to a designated smoking area. If this request is refused, they will be asked to leave the premises – and may be reported to the authorities and face a possible maximum £200 fine.

Evening entertainment events (concerts, parties and sporting events)

For some evening events (including all concerts), EC&O Venues operates a strict ‘no re-admission’ policy.

Visitors who wish to smoke will be allowed to leave the premises to go to a designated smoking area, however they will not be re-admitted to the event.

If in doubt, please ask a member of the venue staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who enforces the law?

A: Local councils enforce the law and have the power to appoint enforcement officers, such as environmental health officers, trading standards or local community support officers.

Q: Does the law just apply to cigarettes?

A: No, it covers all substances that a person can smoke. These include manufactured cigarettes, hand rolled cigarettes, pipes and cigars.

Q. What are the penalties for breaking the law?

A: If you do not comply with the smokefree law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

• Smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• Failure to display no-smoking signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the smokefree premises or vehicle. Or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.
• Failing to prevent smoking in a smokefree place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on whoever manages or controls the smokefree premises or vehicle if prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed penalty notice for this offence.