Smokefree vehicles

Action against business vehicle drivers and owners, who flout the Smokefree laws, is being stepped up by Thanet District Council.

The move, in line with other authorities in Kent, comes as the second anniversary of the Smokefree legislation, which was introduced on 1 July 2007, draws near.

Generally, most people have complied with the Smokefree laws in Thanet, but problems still remain with people breaking the law by either smoking in their business vehicles or allowing smoking in them.
Recently, Licensing Officers in Thanet caught two taxi drivers smoking in their vehicles on the same day, both of whom were handed Fixed Penalty Notices.

Two other van drivers have also been seen smoking in their vehicles by Environmental Health Officers while they were driving through Thanet. The owners were tracked down and investigations into these two offences are still continuing.

Cllr. Zita Wiltshire, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “It seems that many people who drive a vehicle for business believe they are safe from prosecution when they are in their work cars or vans. The health problems smoking causes are compelling reasons not to break the law. If business vehicle drivers are smoking in vehicles when they shouldn't then the council will take legal action against them.”