Cast your mind back to July 2007 if you can, to when the UK smoking ban came into force. Overnight, the law was changed, banning people from smoking in the workplace and in any enclosed public spaces. So, no more smoking in offices, pubs or shopping centres. However, this hasn’t stopped people from smoking outdoors, revolutionising the smoking shelter industry. Below we explore how the UK smoking ban has rejuvenated the smoking shelter market and how different businesses have embraced this change.

A different outlook

The smoking ban changed the way in which the entire population smoked, making us think about how and where we lit up. This had a huge impact on public services, as customers and workers alike could no longer smoke inside buildings, which meant that an alternative solution had to be found. This encouraged manufacturers to start looking at the humble, old-fashioned smoking shelter again. They completely revolutionised it, making it a comfortable and attractive outdoor space in which to smoke with friends or colleagues. They began to make shelters that had inbuilt seating and lighting, meaning that they could be used both night and day. Soon enough, the smoking shelter was no longer an afterthought, but rather an extension of the workplace.

The law

However, the designated outdoor smoking areas needed to be comfortable, safe and practical. Therefore, smoking shelters became the obvious solution. This was because they could be built to any size while remaining compliant with health and safety regulations and could be customised for a specific industry. Most importantly, smoking shelters weren’t enclosed and could compliment any outdoor structure.

Eating and drinking

One sector that was hit hard by the smoking ban was the pub and restaurant industry. Diners and drinkers went from being able to smoke indoors while enjoying their drink or meal, to not being allowed to do so at all. This meant pub landlords and restaurant owners had to think on their feet and come up with a solution for enabling their customers, old and new, to still be able to smoke on their premises. Outdoor areas that combined smoking shelters, comfortable seating, patio burners and soft lighting were soon constructed and beer gardens became more popular.

Office space

Employers also found themselves with a legal obligation to provide employees with a place to smoke while at work. A smoking room, or smoking close to the entrance of a building, was no longer allowed. This was why many offices opted to install modern and attractive smoking shelters, not only for their own employees but also for potential clients and to promote their overall company ethos.

Here at Shelter Solutions, we offer both smoking shelters and vaping shelters for all types of business and commercial use. To learn more about how we can help you, please do get in touch with us today.