Smoking in cars with children to be banned from October

Smokers in Wales face a £50 on-the-spot fine if they are caught smoking in cars carrying children.

A ban on people smoking in cars carrying children in Wales was given the go-ahead by Welsh Assembly members on Tuesday. The new law will be introduced on October 1st this year.

Politicians were told exposure to second-hand smoke "is a real and substantial threat to children’s health".

The regulations introduce a fixed penalty notice of £50 for each offence. The police will enforce the regulations.

More: On-the-spot fines for people caught smoking in cars with children

The Health Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that smoking in cars carrying children is to be banned in Wales from October 1st 2015.

The Welsh Government proposed the ban in July last year in a move to help protect the health of children and the risk of passive smoking.

It later added to the plans in September announcing on-the-spot fines for people caught smoking in cars with children under the age of 18.

The Minister said the ban, which is subject to the approval of Assembly Members, will protect children from the avoidable harms linked with exposure to tobacco smoke, which can lead to a range health problems.

Regulations will be introduced before the National Assembly for Wales to:

• Make it an offence to smoke in a private vehicle with someone under the age of 18 is present.
• Make it an offence to fail to prevent smoking in a private vehicle when someone under the age of 18 is present.

The regulations will be subject to a vote in the National Assembly this summer and, if approved by AMs, will come into force on the same date as similar proposals in England.

Enforcement of the proposed new law will largely be taken forward by police officers and a £50 on-the-spot fine will apply to people caught flouting the new law.

A date for a ban on smoking in cars carrying children in Wales is due to be revealed today.

The Welsh Government proposed the ban in July last year in a move to help protect the health of children and the risk of passive smoking.

It later added to the plans in September announcing on-the-spot fines for people caught smoking in cars with children under the age of 18.

Despite research showing the number of children being exposed to smoking in private vehicles has declined, the Welsh government has been campaigning to promote smoke-free cars since 2012.

There is strong public support with four out of five adults (82%) wanting to see some sort of legislation introduced as well as campaigns by the British Lung Foundation and smoking charity ASH Wales for a ban on smoking in cars with children.