Smokefree Cars

Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council have welcomed a historic Parliamentary vote which took place on the 11th of February which means that from October 1 2015, anyone lighting up in a car with a child under 18 present, will be breaking the law and could be fined. The final vote was 342 for and 74 against.

Public health minister Jane Ellison said: “Second-hand smoke is a real threat to children’s health and we want them to grow up free from the risks of smoking.  The only effective way to protect children is to prevent them breathing second-hand smoke and our plans to stop smoking in cars carrying children will help us to do this.”

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