NPCC approach to new smokefree car legislation

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokewoman said:

“As the existing smokefree law extends to vehicles, police forces will be taking an educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach when enforcing the new legislation. This would see people being given warnings rather than being issued with fines, which would give time for public awareness of the offences to build. 

This is based on experience of implementing the current smokefree legislation and the Department of Health’s proposal that this approach should be adopted for a minimum of three months to help build a high level of compliance.

Local authorities enforce the existing legislation and police forces are included as enforcement authorities for the new offences. During this period individual offences that justify enforcement action will be reported to local authorities.”