Carmarthenshire issues 'smoking ticket'
Carmarthenshire County Council has issued its first ticket for an offence of breaking a ban on smoking.
A fixed penalty notice has been issued to a taxi driver who was found smoking in his cab while waiting for a customer in Lammas Street, Carmarthen.
The local authority has the power to issue £50 fixed penalties under the Health Act 2006. The amount to be paid is reduced to £30 if it is paid promptly. Smoke-free legislation came into force in Wales on April 2, 2007.
Council head of public protection Philip Davies said that officers from the council’s street scene section were investigating another problem in Lammas Street when they noticed a taxi driver smoking in his vehicle.
“The matter was reported and resulted in a fixed penalty notice being issued to the person concerned. The fine was paid almost immediately, so he paid £30,” he said.
Executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “This is the first time that a fixed penalty notice has been used to enforce the law in an area where smoking is banned.
“Taxis are vehicles which the public use regularly and they must be kept smoke free. The driver of the vehicle has learned a very hard and expensive lesson and I am sure that that message will soon circulate amongst the rest of the trade.
“Smoking in a smoke-free place or vehicle carries a penalty of £50 if people are reported to the council.”
A fixed penalty notice has been issued to a taxi driver who was found smoking in his cab while waiting for a customer in Lammas Street, Carmarthen.
The local authority has the power to issue £50 fixed penalties under the Health Act 2006. The amount to be paid is reduced to £30 if it is paid promptly. Smoke-free legislation came into force in Wales on April 2, 2007.
Council head of public protection Philip Davies said that officers from the council’s street scene section were investigating another problem in Lammas Street when they noticed a taxi driver smoking in his vehicle.
“The matter was reported and resulted in a fixed penalty notice being issued to the person concerned. The fine was paid almost immediately, so he paid £30,” he said.
Executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “This is the first time that a fixed penalty notice has been used to enforce the law in an area where smoking is banned.
“Taxis are vehicles which the public use regularly and they must be kept smoke free. The driver of the vehicle has learned a very hard and expensive lesson and I am sure that that message will soon circulate amongst the rest of the trade.
“Smoking in a smoke-free place or vehicle carries a penalty of £50 if people are reported to the council.”
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