October 1, 2015 4.44 pm This story is over 100 months old

Car smoking ban welcomed by Lincolnshire Police

“Enforce where appropriate” A leading Lincolnshire Police officer has vowed to enforce new legislation which makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle in the presence of children.

A leading Lincolnshire Police officer has vowed to enforce new legislation which makes it illegal to smoke in a vehicle in the presence of under 18s.

The law, introduced on October 1, applies to every driver in England and Wales, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence.

It covers any private vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof, even if the window, sunroof or doorway is open, or the air conditioning unit is on.

However, the law does not apply to a convertible if the roof is completely down or if the driver is 17-years-old and on their own in the car.

Similarly, it does not apply to electronic cigarettes and all forms of nicotine vaporisers.

Both the driver and smoker can be held accountable for the offence.

Lincolnshire say they will initially be taking an educational approach, but drivers and passengers who break the law could face a penalty fine of £50.

Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, regional operations lead on roads policing, said: “We will embrace the new legislation and enforce it where appropriate, we will also work with our partner agencies to raise awareness of the new law.

“Our focus remains on the Fatal 4 offences which are speeding, drink and drug driving, driving without a seat belt and using mobile phone and our approach to this new offence will primarily be to the educate smokers where we see the offence being committed.”