CPT UK has received communication from two coach operator members, claiming council officials in North Wales targeted and enforced coaches for failing to display ‘no smoking’ signage on their vehicles.
Targeted Rhyl and Llandudno coach parks, drivers were issued with fines of £150, rising to £200 for failure to pay the fine within a fortnight of the offence.
CPT is offering advice to operators, as a reminder of the terms of the respective government acts in Scotland in 2006, and in England & Wales in 2007. The no smoking regulations currently state a smoke-free vehicle is any vehicle which is enclosed – i.e. is wholly or is partly covered by a roof – and is used for:
- The transport of members of the public or a section of the public
- Work purposes by more than one person – even if this use is at different times or only intermittently
The body stresses to firms – if they are operating, driving or responsible for order or safety on a smoke-free vehicle, they must ensure no one in the vehicle smokes. They must also make sure that no smoking signs meeting the necessary requirements are displayed in a prominent position in each compartment of the vehicle which is wholly or partly covered by a roof.
Individuals may be liable to a fixed penalty of £50 for smoking in smoke-free premises. In cases of prosecution and conviction, the maximum fine is £200.
The manager or person in control of any smoke-free premises could be fined a fixed penalty of £200 for failing to display no smoking signs. In cases of prosecution and conviction, the maximum fine is £1,000.
The manager or person in control of any smoke-free premises could be fined up to £2,500 for failing to prevent others from smoking in those premises.
