Is it illegal to smoke in cars?

By Emily Crouse
October 21, 2015

Graphic Designed by Emily Crouse.
Graphic Designed by Emily Crouse.

As of Thursday, Oct. 1, it is illegal in the United Kingdom to smoke in a car while a child is a passenger. This also does not mean only a small child— it is anyone who is a passenger under the age of 18. Smokers will face a fine of  £50 (US $80) and the driver can potentially receive penalties for not stopping the passenger who is smoking in their car.

One of the main reasons behind why this law was put in place is to help protect children and young people from the dangers of secondhand smoke. The law will apply to any vehicle whether the windows are down or if the air conditioning in the vehicle is on. It is not even legal to sit in the doorway of the vehicle and smoke. The law however does not apply to convertibles when the top is entirely down.  

Opening windows does not remove the harmful effects of cigarette smoke and more than 80 percent of cigarette smoke is invisible. The level of toxic air in a vehicle where someone is smoking is up to 10 times greater than levels that are considered hazardous, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

This law is not being set in the United States. However there are some states that already have this law or one very similar, in effect. The states that already have the law are: Ark. (14 and younger); Calif. (18 and younger); La. (13 and younger); Maine (16 and younger); Ore. (18 and younger); Utah (15 and younger) and Vt. (8 and under.) Numerous cities, including Bangor, Maine; Rockland County, New York; Keyport, N.J; and West Long Branch, N.Y, also ban smoking in cars around children.

The states that are currently considering are: Ohio (6  and younger); N.J. (16 and younger); Fla. (18 and younger.)

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Emily Crouse

Thrill chaser, communication queen, inspired futuristic, go getter. Majoring in Digital Communications and Social Media at Cabrini College. Member of the Cabrini Women's Lacrosse team and lover of life.

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