Ban on smoking in cars with children to take effect in Scotland

A new law that bans smoking in cars when children are present comes into force in Scotland next week.

Anyone caught breaking the law by smoking in private vehicles with someone under 18 on board faces an on-the-spot penalty of £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

The Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill, was introduced by former South of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume, was passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in December last year and comes into force on Monday.

Smokers' group Forest has branded the regulations "patronising and unnecessary".

But health campaigners welcomed the move as they pointed to figures suggesting around one in six 15-year-olds are being exposed to second-hand smoke in the car.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of anti-smoking charity Ash Scotland, said:

The Scottish Liberal Democrats said the legislation would protect thousands of young people each year from second-hand smoke.

A law banning smoking in vehicles carrying children came into force in England and Wales in October last year.