The Regulations affect enclosed workplaces and work vehicles.  It becomes an offence to fail to prevent smoking in these places.  Cigarette "breaks" for those wishing to stand in the open outside are not likely to be caught by the legislation, but employers may not have to agree to them particularly in the absence of express contractural rights to such breaks.

The Government laid the Regulations for Lasting Powers of Attorney before Parliament on 17 April and these are expected to be passed in June.  This should mean that the implementation is on track for the current proposed start date of 1 October.  The Regulations are 104 pages long with the new document itself being 25 pages.

Many Clients are updating their arrangements for Enduring Powers of Attorney before the 1 October deadline as existing Enduring Powers of Attorney will continue to be valid.