As of 1st October 2015, a new law around smoking in cars came into play. It is now illegal to smoke in a private vehicle with anyone under 18 present.
The new legislation from the Department of Health aims to protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke.
The rule applies to all private vehicles that are fully or partially covered by a roof. The only exceptions to the rule are in convertible vehicles where the roof is fully retracted or when the driver is 17 years old and travelling and smoking alone in their own vehicle.
The rule does not solely apply to the driver: if any passenger is smoking in car with someone under 18 years of age present, both the perpetrator AND the driver could face prosecution. It is the driver’s responsibility to stop their passengers smoking with a minor in the vehicle.
The penalties faced by those committing the new offence are a fixed penalty notice of £50, or at the discretion of the enforcement officer, a court referral.
The rules apply to motor homes, camper vans and caravans when they are being used as a vehicle but don’t apply when they are being used as living accommodation. Work vehicles and public transport are already covered by smoke free legislation.
Find out more at www.gov.uk or watch this official animated video for the basic facts:
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Vijay Srivastava
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