Is it illegal to smoke in a convertible car with children as passengers?
WHEN it comes to smoking in cars, some drivers might not be aware of the rules that are in place.
Here we take you through the laws surrounding smoking in a convertible car with children as passengers.
Is it illegal to smoke in a convertible car with children as passengers?
It is not illegal for drivers to smoke in a convertible car with children as passengers as long as the roof completely down.
However it is illegal if you only have windows or a sunroof open.
Also, you can’t smoke in the open doorway of the vehicle if there are kids in the car.
There are a number of activities that are considered a distraction while driving such as tuning a radio or trying to read maps.
What are the rules around smoking in a vehicle?
While smoking in your car is not illegal, it is considered a distraction and has proven dangerous.
But it is against the law to smoke in a car with anyone under the age of 18.
The law changed in October 2015, in order to protect children and young people from secondhand smoking.
If caught you will be handed a £50 fine.
The law does not apply to e-cigarettes users or 17-year-old drivers who are alone in the car.
Can you be fined for smoking in a vehicle?
While smoking itself is not illegal, drivers may be charged with a £100 fine of careless driving if the police think they were not in proper control of the vehicle.
But this isn’t the only cost that can occur.
Smells, stains and burn marks can take up to £2,000 off the price of your car when you come to sell it.
Price experts Cap HPI said the first thing a salesman will do when looking at a car sold by a smoker is to knock down the price of the part exchange.
And some dealers won’t even touch a motor from a smoker because of the time and expense needed to get rid of the smell from the interior.
Also, in May 2024, cops warned drivers they could risk paying a hefty fine for vaping in cars.
Motorists who puff away while driving could breach the Road Traffic Act – and be slapped with a £5,000 penalty.
Experts have said vaping inside a car can significantly “impair visibility” for the driver – and doing so may lead to serious legal issues.
Why quit smoking?
It's never too late to stop smoking.
Cancer Research UK lists a number of benefits to giving up the habit:
- You cut your cancer risk – stopping smoking reduces your risk of lung cancer and at least 14 other types of cancer
- You lower your risk of lung and heart conditions including heart attack, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- You feel healthier – many people report breathing more easily after giving up and that they have more energy
- You can improve your mental wellbeing – potential positive feelings from smoking a cigarette only last for a short time, but stopping smoking can lower depression, anxiety, and stress in the long term
- You protect your friends and family – there is no safe level of second-hand smoke, and passive smoking is particularly dangerous for children and those who are pregnant
- You look healthier – smoking can damage the skin and make it look grey, but stopping can help reverse this while stopping your teeth becoming stained
- You can save money – smoking can cost thousands of pounds a yea so think what else could you use that money for