LRD guides and handbook July 2018

Health and safety law 2018

Chapter 5

Smoking in vehicles



[ch 5: page 87]

The regulations also cover work vehicles. Vehicles that are only ever used by one person with no passengers are exempt from the ban. An employee’s own vehicle is also exempt unless it is being used for hire or as a work vehicle by more than one person. The regulations impose a duty on the driver and on any person with management responsibilities for a smoke-free vehicle to prevent smoking in the vehicle.



The Smoke-free (Private Vehicles) Regulations ban smoking in any car where anyone under the age of 18 is present. The measure is designed to protect children from the potential adverse health effects of passive smoking, and anyone caught in breach of the regulations faces a £50 fine. Convertible cars with the top all the way down are exempt from the law.