Can we be fined for smoking in the car?
Although a general ban on smoking at the wheel has been mooted in Europe for years, there are only partial bans in some countries.
The German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) has shown that when smoking in the car, even with the windows open, the level of tobacco smoke concentration is similar to that found in premises (bars) where smoking is allowed.
In Germany, for example, smoking at the wheel is not regulated, but in other countries, depending on the specific situation, smoking at the wheel can be expensive.
Why do some people want to ban smoking at the wheel?
The most common arguments in favour of a ban on smoking in the car are:
- Smoking in the car can distract the smoker's attention and in extreme cases even reduce visibility.
- It is harmful to everyone present, driver and passengers.
- It is polluting for the environment as most cigarette butts are simply thrown out of the car.
In legal terms, the car is considered a private space and for this reason, just as smoking in the home is not prohibited, it is not possible to prohibit smoking in the car without restricting private freedom.
When is it forbidden to smoke in the car?
As we can see, a generalised ban on smoking at the wheel is not likely, but in other European countries there are already partial bans:
- In Austria since 2018 smoking in the car is prohibited if there are minors in the car.
- In France and Italy smoking is also forbidden with children in the car. In Italy even if there are pregnant women on board. Fines in these countries can be up to 5,000 EUR, for example, if minors are under 14 years of age.
- In Greece you can pay up to 1,500 EUR for smoking in the car if there are children under 12 years old in the car.
- England also banned smoking at the wheel with fines if minors are present in the car.
Can this be compared to mobile phone use?
In addition to affecting the health of passengers, smoking in the car has been shown to reduce the driver's attention span, thus contributing negatively to road safety. Why is it still possible to smoke while driving?
According to the Spanish Traffic Department, 30% of fatalities in Spain are caused by distractions at the wheel and smoking is one of the most frequent distractions. The act of lighting a cigarette alone takes more than 4 seconds, during which the driver is (at least partially) distracted from the traffic.
In total, the driver spends about 5 minutes driving without having all 5 senses focused on safety, with a consequent increase in risk.
In Spain, traffic officers will not fine us for smoking per se, but if they consider that the driver is distracted at the wheel and that smoking, at a given moment, is generating a distraction that puts road safety at risk, the driver can be fined for "distracted driving".
A clearer case of driving penalties linked to smoking is that of throwing a cigarette butt out of the window, which is punishable in Spain with a fine of 200 EUR and 4 points.
Is it necessary to regulate everything with laws and bans?
For most of our readers, smoking or not smoking at the wheel is something that is common sense. Not smoking when we have underage passengers in the car is something we don't need to talk about. Respecting other non-smoking passengers (adults) is a matter of politeness and civility.
Not lighting a cigarette in compromised traffic situations and doing so in such a way that we can keep our attention on the road is something that should be clear to everyone, right?
Reality shows us that what seems to be clear to many is not clear to all. What do you think? Is it necessary to ban smoking at the wheel by law or should it be left to the good judgement of each driver? Tell us what you think in the comments section including from which country you are writing to us. We would love to hear your opinions and experiences.
As always, we are also at your disposal if you have any questions about our electric cigarette injectors or or if you need advice about a particular automatic cigarette rolling machine.
See you next week!
Your Powerfiller-Smoking-Team