Devon and Cornwall: No Fines Issued for Smoking in Cars with Minors Since 2015 Ban

In Devon and Cornwall, no individuals have received penalties for smoking in a vehicle while children are present since the prohibition was enacted almost a decade ago. The act of smoking within a private vehicle when occupants under the age of 18 are present has been prohibited by law since February 2015, carrying potential fines of up to £100 for offenders. A Freedom of Information disclosure revealed that Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed no fines have been issued by the force since the implementation of the ban. The police force stated that it does not maintain records pertaining to verbal warnings. The offense of smoking in a vehicle with children present incurs a fixed penalty fine of £50 for the individual smoking, along with a distinct fine for the driver. This implies that an individual who is both smoking and driving with a child in the car could face two separate fines. Broader anti-smoking legislation enacted in 2007 previously prohibited smoking on public transportation, in work vehicles, and in passenger taxis. The Devon and Cornwall Police Federation has been contacted for their commentary on the matter.