Closed consultation Regulations restricting smoking in private vehicles when children are present

Summary

Views are being sought on draft regulations to restrict smoking in private vehicles carrying children. We would encourage you to respond via email where possible. Responses received after the closing date will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Documents

• Letter to consultees Microsoft Word (97 KB)
• Consultation document Microsoft Word (122 KB)
• Response questionnaire Microsoft Word (81 KB)
• EQIA screening - smoking in cars carrying children Adobe PDF (328 KB)
• Consultation Summary Report Adobe PDF (104 KB)
• Rural proofing - smoking in cars carrying children Microsoft Word (180 KB)

Help viewing documents

Consultation description

The Minister is pleased to publish for consultation draft regulations which propose to restrict smoking in private motor vehicles when children under 18 are present. For the purposes of the regulations, ‘smoking’ refers to smoking tobacco or anything which contains tobacco, or smoking any other substance.

Smoking is already prohibited in shared work vehicles and on public transport, including taxis. The proposed regulations extend this restriction to private motor vehicles when a minor is present and will help to protect children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. The draft regulations propose a dual enforcement approach between district councils and the PSNI, and provide each with the power to issue fixed penalty notices to offenders.

Ways to respond

Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.