Almost nine out of every 10 people fined in Belfast for breaking the smoking ban are commercial drivers, it has emerged this month. Van and taxi drivers and others who drive as part of their job are the worst offenders. Since the ban was introduced two years ago, 88% of the 230 fixed penalty notices issued were in relation to people smoking in vehicles.
Anyone caught smoking in a work vehicle is subject to a £50 fine, with a failure to display the appropriate no-smoking signage punishable by way of a £200 fixed penalty notice.
Cathal Mullaghan, Chairman of the council's health and environmental services committee said, "We understood there would be a bedding-in period for the legislation and council staff have worked tirelessly with businesses and employers across the city to explain how the law affects them and their workers. We want to remind anyone who drives for a living, whether it be a white van, a taxi or a goods vehicle, that smoking behind the wheel is against the law and must be stubbed out."
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