Smoking to be banned in family cars from October 2015

Smoking is to be banned in cars carrying children next month – and offenders will be punished with a £60 fine or five points on their driving licence.

If the case goes to court, anyone smoking in a car carrying a child could be fined up to £80.

Drivers who fail to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent others smoking in cars with children face even bigger fines – up to £10,000.

MORE: Smoking in cars is nothing short of child abuse

The law will apply to any cars carrying children, and the legislation is expected to be passed in December.

The ban will come into force from October next year.

Tory and Lib Dem MPs backed the measure in February, and Prime Minister David Cameron said, ‘the time has come’ for a ban.

The change to the law will be made under provisions in the Children and Families Act.

Source : Click Me

As long as they dont stop me having a kitkat at the wheel.
Its the natural progression of Stop Smoking.

already is ---- driving with undue care and attention--covers eating kit kat whilst driving.

Nanny state looking to raise money again

What about nose picking? So long as I don't eat it?

that's probably ok as it can be done one handed--unwrapping a kit kat not so easy with one hand

other one handed actions whilst driving are covered by other laws!

Do you remember the storey where the traffic cop charged a woman for eating an apple at the wheel while driving through town, only to be photographed eating a twix at the wheel 3 months later.

I wonder if this is just away to bring money in ?

I see business vehicles and drivers still smoking all the time. Ive heard taxi drivers are constantly fined for smoking at the road side.

Anyone been fined for smoking at a hospital yet ?

There is that much knowledge out there about smoking shouldn't this be left for parents to decide and not the police. I dont see much difference from a parent smoking in the home to smoking in the car, yes more concentrated but why the police are they not stretched enough ?

Nanny state again.

What defines family car ?
Can you smoke in a friends car with his / her kids lol ??

You do wonder.

Had a puff or two at APH today- no fine.

No children will be allowed in my car from now on then.

£60 fine or points is ridiculous they should just jail them. Why would anyone smoke when kids are in the car

Just ban kids and we will all be fine

Technically anything that involves taking your hands off the steering wheel whilst driving is a fineable/endorsable driving offence with the exception of changing gear and applying/releasing the handbrake.

This includes :

Eating
Drinking
Changing the radio station / CD
Opening / closing the window
Smoking
Using the phone /Sat nav
Waving / Gesturing to someone

Wonder if this smoking ban will include my E-cig / vapouriser?

How about smoking with head out of window, so all the smoke goes out?
What about on convertibles, where the smoke will rise out of the car, and won't kill them instantly?

can children smoke in cars though?

If you rub two together quick enough,yes.

Anyone who smokes in a car with kids or other non smokers are selfish and complete idiots IMO. Can you not wait that long to have a fag?

If you rub two together thickly enough yes

It can't do them no harm? Who keeps the window closed when having a ciggie anyway?

Updated : Click me

Smoking in cars with children will be banned in England, under new laws put forward by the government.

The regulations laid before Parliament propose banning smoking in cars containing under 18s.

A fine of £50 will be issued to people who smoke or who fail to prevent another person smoking.

MPs will vote on the plans before the election - and if they are passed the change in law will come into force on 1 October.

The move comes after a free vote in Parliament in February gave ministers the power to introduce the law, although it did not compel them to.

Public health minister Jane Ellison said: "Second-hand smoke is a real threat to children's health and we want them to grow up free from the risks of smoking.

"The only effective way to protect children is to prevent them breathing second-hand smoke and our plans to stop smoking in cars carrying children will help us to do this."

A fine of £50 will be issued to people who smoke or who fail to prevent another person smoking.

Hello and why should I tell the other person not to smoke ?
How is that enforceable then ?

Does anyone know if the law applies to convertibles?

can't smoke with under 18's in the car, but i know some people under 18 who smoke and/or don't mind smokers

i'm a non-smoker, and honestly i find this 'law' ridiculous. How on earth it's going to be policed is a mystery and as Nuddy says, do convertibles count? what if all the windows are open?

they've done enough to stop people smoking by hiking the prices, kicking them out of pubs, giving enough health warnings, if people still want to go ahead and do it, let them...

I think what we are talking here is the right for children not to be subjected to the effects of secondhand smoke. As a smoker myself I won't smoke in a car with a non smoking adult let alone a child, it is just common decency and manners.