Which of the following actions constitutes a criminal offense?

Okay, let's break down why smoking in a prohibited area is a criminal offense. In the UK, laws regarding smoking in public places have become increasingly strict to protect public health. The key piece of legislation here is the Health Act 2006, which made it illegal to smoke in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces. This was a major turning point, aiming to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. Now, while you might think of criminal offenses as serious crimes like theft or assault, many lesser offenses exist to maintain order and public safety. Smoking in a prohibited area falls into this category. It's not a major crime, but it *is* against the law and can result in a fine. The other options, while potentially serious issues, are generally dealt with through civil law. Discrimination in the workplace is usually handled by employment tribunals, a tenant not paying rent is a civil matter between landlord and tenant, and activating a fire alarm is a criminal offense only if there is no fire. So, while those other situations might have legal consequences, they aren't automatically considered criminal offenses in the same way as ignoring a 'No Smoking' sign in a designated area.