Taxi driver fined for flouting smoking ban

A local taxi driver who was caught flouting the smoking ban has been ordered to pay a total of £489 by a court.

Susan King, 50, of Chapel Lane in Overton, was found guilty in her absence at Lancaster Magistrates Court on Thursday (9th July) of breaking laws brought in on July 1 2007.

The regulations make it an offence to smoke in an enclosed public or work place - which includes vehicles such as taxis.

Magistrates heard that King was smoking a cigarette in her taxi while driving over Skerton Bridge in Lancaster on May 24 this year.

She was spotted by one of Lancaster City Council's licensing enforcement officers, who subsequently issued her with a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice.

King failed to pay the fine and as a result action was taken through the courts.

Magistrates ordered her to pay a fine of £175, plus £15 victim surcharge. She was also ordered to pay the council’s costs in the sum of £299.

"The smokefree legislation was brought in as a public health measure to reduce the number of smoking related deaths and illnesses through passive smoking," commented Coun David Kerr, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health.

“The majority of people recognise this but there are is still a minority that believe they can ignore the law. It does not matter if a taxi driver has a passenger in their vehicle or not – smoke lingers and their passengers have a right to be able to travel in a vehicle that does not smell of smoke.

“We are also under a duty to ensure that the laws are enforced and we would urge all taxi drivers not to smoke in their vehicles. We would rather not take action against them but if we have to then we will.”