Carmarthenshire County Council’s public protection team is warning that anyone caught smoking in a private vehicle with someone under 18 present will face a £50 fixed penalty notice.

From Thursday, October 1, anyone caught committing the offence, or failing to stop someone else from smoking, could face prosecution.

The legislation covers any vehicle that is enclosed - including motor homes or campervans when they are being used as a vehicle - and people will be committing an offence even if their window, door or sunroof is open.

The legislation does not cover convertible cars when the roof is down; or work vehicles and public transport which are already covered by legislation.

The rules do not apply when someone under the age of 18 is smoking and is the only person in the vehicle.

The new legislation aims to prevent children being harmed by secondhand smoke, which can leave them vulnerable to a variety of health conditions such as lower respiratory tract infections, asthma, middle ear disease and other serious infections.

Secondhand smoke is dangerous for anyone, but children are especially vulnerable because they breathe more rapidly and have less developed airways, lungs and immune systems; neither can they escape from the toxic chemicals when travelling in vehicles because they cannot choose not to be in the vehicle, and may not feel able to ask an adult to refrain from smoking.

Councillor Jim Jones, Executive Board Member for Public Protection, said: “I welcome this new legislation and hope that it makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of children.”