A new legislation which comes into force in Scotland today means it is now illegal to smoke in a car with a child present.
Anyone caught breaking the law faces a £100 on-the-spot penalty or a fine of up to £1000 in court.
According to STV, ministers have said The Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill, which was passed almost a year ago, will not only protect children but will also bring Scotland closer to their target of being tobacco-free in 20 years.
New smoking legislation comes in TODAY in Scotland! Our @ASHScotland @healthierscot blog offers support to give up: https://t.co/EqtFqnx7pp
— Fathers Network Scot (@FathersNetScot) December 5, 2016
New @BTSrespiratory report finds 32%
— FRESH Smoke Free NE (@FreshSmokeFree) November 29, 2016
children hospitalised with #asthma 'exposed to cigarette smoke' https://t.co/ImN2pFTuXy
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of anti-smoking charity Ash Scotland, said the the move sends a clear message that children should grow up in a smoke-free environment.
"The most recent data shows that about one in six 15-year-olds are sometimes or often exposed to second-hand smoke in the car," she said.
"When we know that just one cigarette can quickly lead to harmful levels of smoke, we have to take action. This is about protecting children's health."
Don’t break the law- smoking in a car with anyone under the age of 18 is illegal from 5th December 2016 https://t.co/AYLAzqLHfv
— ASH Scotland (@ASHScotland) December 4, 2016
