A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for smoking in Enfield

In 2025, the London Borough of Enfield introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to address smoking around its Civic Centre.

This case study was shared by Glenn Stewart, Assistant Director of Public Health, Enfield Council at the London Tobacco Control Network meeting on 10 June 2025.

Here Glenn outlines the local authority’s rationale, process, outcomes and provides learning for other councils considering a similar approach.

What is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)?

A PSPO is a legal tool under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It allows councils to ban anti-social behaviours in designated public spaces. They are enforced by the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).

In Enfield’s case, the behaviour in question was smoking outside the Civic Centre. Not only is this council owned property, but it also has high visibility and footfall and is used by both council staff and the public.

Why Enfield took PSPO smoking action

Smoking outside the Civic Centre conflicted with both the borough’s Council Plan and Health and Wellbeing Strategy which advocate for a healthier, smokefree borough.

Glenn Stewart explained:

“London Borough of Enfield land was being used to facilitate a behaviour that we had stated, in publicly available strategic documents, that we were against. That didn’t sit right.”

The policy intention was clear: allowing smoking on council land, particularly such a prominent location was undermining the borough’s own public health messaging. This needed to stop.

How to use a PSPO to restrict smoking – Enfield’s approach

Introducing the PSPO smoking ban was not a quick fix. Glenn explained that it was a months-long process, including a public consultation phase.

Key steps included:

• Internal alignment including Cabinet members, the Executive Management Team (EMT), the Directorate Management Team (DMT), unions and Human Resources (it was already in the HWBS).
• Extensive consultation including when the PSPO was going to start (National No-smoking day) and, importantly, communication that the intention was not to fine people but to persuade people not to smoke on Council property (legal framework is already set up within the legislation for PSPOs.
• Running a formal public consultation process to gather views and build legitimacy. This is a legally necessary step for establishing PSPOs.
• Designing and displaying clear signage and using council communications channels to ensure staff and public understanding and compliance.

Messaging and concerns

To address potential concerns, messaging focused on:

• The Council leadership / anchor institution role in displaying the behaviours it wishes to promote.
• Stopping smoking being seen as a ‘normal’ behaviour, particularly as Enfield Civic Centre is close to 3 secondary schools.
• Environmental impacts in terms of reducing litter and smoke.
• Stopping smokers being the only ones able to use the benches outside the Civic.

Using smoking ban outside council buildings to signpost services

A useful insight from London Tobacco Control Network members was the potential for councils to build on enforcement messages for the smoking ban outside council buildings to signpost services.

The group discussed how PSPO signage could be used an educational opportunity to signpost stop smoking services, turning policy into a smoking cessation tool.

Outcomes and lessons learned

Enfield’s Civic Centre PSPO is already influencing thinking in other boroughs. During the London Tobacco Control Network meeting, it was discussed how similar orders could be used not just as bans, but as nudges toward positive health behaviour.

Key lessons include:

• Policy alignment – embedding smoking-related actions in borough strategies made the PSPO easier to introduce.
• Consultation is manageable – while time-consuming, it’s important to note that this is not a major barrier.
• Comms is key – using council communications channels and integrating signage with links to support can make enforcement feel constructive rather than punitive.
• Positive feedback has been received from non-smokers who felt that this was ‘the right thing to do’.

Opportunities for other boroughs

Several boroughs are now considering whether PSPOs could apply in their local context. Here are a few takeaways from Glenn’s presentation and the wider discussion:

Could it apply to your setting?

• Are there prominent council-owned spaces where smoking is visibly in conflict with your public health goals?
• Do you have local health strategies or smokefree pledges that support such action?

Considerations and alternatives

• Smokefree children’s play areas are already widely supported and may provide a stepping stone.
• School gates were discussed, but buffer zones can be legally problematic where they extend into private property.
• Messaging should be used to link back to support for quitting, not just restriction.