EDINBURGH, Scotland, March 26 (UPI) -- Scotland's ban on smoking in public places, including pubs and restaurants went into effect Sunday with some smokers vowing to defy it.
Those who flout the legislation face a fine of $85, while the manager or person in control of any non-smoking premises can be fined a fixed penalty of $350 for either allowing others to smoke there, or failing to display warning notices. Refusal or failure to pay the fine may result in prosecution and a fine of up to $4,300, the BBC said.
A BBC poll of 1,000 adults who smoke found about 21 percent planned to ignore the ban.
And in a move that goes beyond what is required by the new law, Turnberry, the five-star Ayrshire golf resort, and the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa in Edinburgh have warned their employees they can be fired if they smell of smoke, The Scotsman reported.
The guidelines state that employees who smoke during a break must wash their hands and either brush their teeth or eat a mint before returning to duty. The hotels say it would be unfair to guests expected to comply with the ban if employees smelled of cigarette smoke.
