Liverpool City Council’s Licensing Enforcement Officers have issued nearly 100 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to taxi drivers caught smoking in their licensed vehicles this year. While it has been an offence to smoke (in a smoke free place) since the introduction of the Health Act 2006, the council has worked especially hard this year to clampdown on the illegal practice in licensed vehicles. Most drivers paid within 15 days in order to take advantage of the reduction in cost from £50 to £30. If the penalty is not paid within 29 days of the offence, a court summons is issued.
Liverpool Licensing Authority is reminding all licensed drivers who smoke that smoking in a licensed vehicle is an offence, including when the driver is not working and using the vehicle in a personal capacity. Additional patrols will be in operation over the busy Christmas period to ensure this law is being observed to protect customers. “Tens of thousands of people across the city will be using a taxi over the next fortnight at what is the busiest time of the year and our team will be working hard to ensure it’s a clean ride all the way,” said Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Culture.
There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, noted Liverpool Director of Public Health, Professor Matthew Ashton. “It contains carcinogens and is linked with asthma and respiratory infections. Furthermore, children are more susceptible to the health impact of second-hand smoke as their airways are smaller, they breathe more quickly than adults and they are less able to remove themselves from smoking environments. Everybody has a right to breathe clean air and this intervention is one example of how we are working to make this possible for everybody living and visiting Liverpool. Second-hand smoke is a known killer and major contributor to people developing lung cancer.” Drivers who continue to smoke in licensed vehicles risk a £200 fine plus £150 costs and an £80 victim surcharge
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More