Drivers who smoke in cars with children face fine next month

Drivers who smoke in cars in the company of children will face prosecution from January 1st. Minister for Children James Reilly and Minister for Health Leo Varadkar will outline the commencement of the measure today.

The announcement follows the signing of regulations under the Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014 to bring the law into full effect. It was initially proposed by Senators Mark Daly, Jillian van Turnhout and Prof John Crown.

According to health authorities, children are more susceptible to the impact of second-hand smoke as they breathe more frequently than adults and their respiratory systems and immune systems are still developing. Second-hand smoke contains 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which cause cancer.

The legislation was passed last Christmas, but gardaí requested more time to implement the new proposals. Gardaí will be able to issue a fine if the driver or one of the passengers in the car is smoking with a child in the front or back seat.

The fine will be decided on by means of regulation but it is expected to be around €80.