Smoking With Minors In Vehicles Ban Bill

A BILL TO ban smoking in private, public or commercial enclosed vehicles with minors under the age of 18 present.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1: Definition

(1) An “enclosed vehicle” is a vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof and by any door or window that may be opened.

(a) Except where (1)(b) applies, “roof” in (1) includes any fixed or moveable structure or device which is capable of covering all or part of the vehicle, including any canvas, fabric or other covering.

(b) In relation to a vehicle that is engaged in conveying persons, “roof” does not include any fixed or moveable structure or device which is completely stowed away so that it does not cover all or any part of the vehicle.

(2) “caravan” means a trailer which is designed for road use and provides mobile living accommodation.

(3) “motor caravan” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users.

(4) “road” has the same meaning as in section 192(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

2: Ban

(1) Smoking inside any vehicle either private, commercial or public is prohibited if―

(a) it is enclosed,

(b) there is more than one person present, and

(c) a person under the age of 18 is present in the vehicle.

(2) (1) does not apply to―

(a) a caravan or motor caravan that is stationary and not on the road, or

(b) a caravan or motor caravan that is stationary, on a road and being used as living accommodation.

3: Penalties

(1) Violation of section 2(1) in this Act shall carry a fine of £100 for the person smoking and/or the driver of the vehicle.

(a) A fine of £500 may be issued for repeat violation.

4: Commencement, Short Title and Extent

(1) This Act shall come into force immediately after royal assent.

(2) This Act may be cited as the Smoking With Minors In Vehicles Ban Act 2017.

(3) This Act extends to England and Wales only.

This bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. Lord of Aberdeen, Minister of State for Equalities, former Secretary of State for Transport, with the advice and consent of the Rt Hon. Lord Washington, Secretary of State for Transport, on behalf of the 15th government.

This reading will end on 10 June 2017.