By Mans Khan, Owner of Tamstar Ltd
For many years, I’ve worked with facilities managers, schools, warehouses, manufacturers, offices and public sector organisations across the UK. One thing I’ve noticed is that while workplaces continue to evolve, one facility remains just as important today as it was when smoke-free legislation first came into force in 2007 – the commercial outdoor smoking shelter.
Some people assume smoking shelters are becoming less relevant because smoking rates have declined. While it’s true fewer people smoke than they did twenty years ago, the reality is that millions of adults across the UK still smoke, and many workplaces also need to accommodate employees who vape. The law continues to prohibit smoking inside enclosed workplaces, meaning businesses must carefully manage where smoking and vaping take place.
In my experience, a well-designed smoking shelter isn’t simply somewhere for employees to stand during a break. It’s an important part of creating a cleaner, safer and better organised workplace.
Smoking Shelters Are Still Required in Modern Workplaces
On a regular basis, I speak to facilities managers who are planning for new office developments, warehouse extensions or refurbishments.
One of the questions they ask is:
“Do we still need a smoking shelter?”
In many cases, the answer is yes.
UK legislation continues to prohibit smoking and vaping in enclosed or substantially enclosed workplaces. Employers must prevent smoking inside buildings and ensure staff have access to appropriate outdoor areas if smoking is permitted on site. Businesses must also display the correct signage and take reasonable steps to enforce smoke-free rules.
Although employers are not legally required to provide a smoking shelter, many choose to because it offers practical benefits that go far beyond compliance.
Creating a More Professional First Impression
One of the biggest problems I see is employees gathering outside reception doors or main entrances.
Visitors arriving at your premises shouldn’t have to walk through groups of smokers or cigarette litter before entering your building.
Installing a workplace smoking shelter in a carefully chosen location helps move smoking activity away from customer-facing areas while keeping staff protected from the weather.
This creates:
- Cleaner entrances
- Better visitor experience
- Improved company image
- Less congestion around reception
- Reduced complaints from neighbouring businesses
For facilities managers responsible for maintaining professional standards across a site, these improvements make a noticeable difference.
Helping Businesses Stay Organised
Without a designated smoking area, employees often spread across loading bays, fire exits, pathways and car parks.
Over time this creates unnecessary operational issues.
A dedicated outdoor smoking shelter helps centralise smoking and vaping breaks into one managed location.
I’ve seen businesses significantly reduce:
- Cigarette litter
- Noise near entrances
- Smoke drifting into buildings
- Staff gathering in unsuitable areas
- Cleaning and maintenance costs
From a facilities management perspective, it’s simply much easier to maintain one designated smoking area than several unofficial ones.
Supporting Employee Welfare
Providing a smoking shelter isn’t about encouraging smoking.
It’s about recognising that different employees have different needs while ensuring everyone can work safely and comfortably.
The Health and Safety Executive advises employers to have a clear smoking policy that prioritises non-smokers while consulting employees on suitable workplace arrangements.
A weather-protected smoking shelter demonstrates that a business is managing employee welfare responsibly without compromising the comfort of non-smokers.
Many of our customers also choose to include:
- Stainless steel ashtrays
- Recycled plastic benches
- Perch seating
- Waste bins
- Smoking area signage
These small additions help keep outdoor areas cleaner and more organised.
Smoking and Vaping Continue to Shape Workplace Design
One noticeable trend I’ve seen over the last few years is the increase in requests for vaping shelters rather than smoking-only shelters.
Many organisations now have employees who vape alongside traditional smokers.
Rather than creating multiple areas, businesses often prefer one designated outdoor shelter that accommodates both groups.
This keeps outdoor spaces simpler to manage while helping maintain a consistent workplace policy.
Compliance Still Matters
Whenever someone contacts Tamstar about buying a smoking shelter, one of the first things we discuss is compliance.
A smoking shelter must not become substantially enclosed.
Generally speaking, a shelter should remain less than 50% enclosed to comply with UK smoke-free legislation. The location is equally important, with consideration given to entrances, ventilation systems and neighbouring properties.
This is why choosing an experienced supplier matters.
At Tamstar, we make sure every shelter we supply is designed with compliance in mind, helping facilities managers avoid costly mistakes.
Durability Is More Important Than Ever
Another change I’ve noticed is that organisations now expect outdoor facilities to last much longer.
Facilities budgets are under pressure, so buyers want products that require minimal maintenance.
Our commercial smoking shelters are manufactured using durable galvanised steel frameworks, impact-resistant glazing and optional powder-coated finishes designed to withstand the British weather.
Rather than replacing shelters every few years, many organisations are investing in products that continue performing for decades with minimal upkeep.
This long-term approach delivers better value for money.
Choosing the Right Smoking Shelter
Every workplace is different.
The right solution depends on several factors, including:
- Number of users
- Available outdoor space
- Budget
- Building layout
- Future expansion plans
- Weather exposure
- Accessibility requirements
For smaller premises, a compact wall-mounted smoking canopy may be ideal.
Larger manufacturing plants or logistics centres often benefit from modular shelters capable of accommodating 12, 20 or even more employees at busy break times.
At Tamstar, we always encourage customers to think about future growth rather than simply today’s requirements.
Choosing a slightly larger shelter now is often more cost-effective than replacing it later.
Why Facilities Managers Continue to Invest in Smoking Shelters
After supplying outdoor workplace products for many years, I believe the reason smoking shelters remain popular is simple.
Facilities managers aren’t just buying a shelter.
They’re solving several workplace challenges at once.
A quality smoking shelter helps businesses:
- Maintain compliance with UK smoking legislation
- Improve workplace appearance
- Reduce cigarette litter
- Protect employees from poor weather
- Keep entrances clear
- Improve operational efficiency
- Support employee welfare
- Create designated smoking and vaping areas
- Present a more professional image to customers and visitors
Those benefits remain just as valuable in 2026 as they were when smoke-free legislation was first introduced back in 2007.
Final Thoughts
Although workplace design continues to evolve, smoking and vaping shelters still have an important role to play.
In my experience, organisations that invest in a high-quality commercial smoking shelter quickly see the benefits through cleaner premises, improved organisation and a more professional environment.
At Tamstar Ltd, we’ve been helping businesses across the UK choose the right smoking shelters, smoking and vaping shelters, and outdoor workplace solutions for many years. Whether you’re planning a new office development, upgrading an industrial site or replacing an ageing shelter, my advice is always the same: choose a solution that is compliant, durable and designed around how your workplace actually operates.
The right smoking shelter isn’t simply another outdoor structure. It’s an investment in your workplace, your employees and the professional image of your business.
