A van driver in Lincolnshire has been fined for throwing a cigarette out of their window.
Under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, West Lindsey District Council issued the driver with a £75 fixed penalty notice for littering, reports the Lincolnshire Echo.
West Lindsey District Council environmental protection officer Nigel Periam told the newspaper: “This case should act as a warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to litter by throwing cigarette ends out of their vehicle windows.
“Anyone smoking in a company vehicle or on any premises designated as a no smoking area is liable to a fine of up to £200 at a Magistrates Court. A company that fails to prevent its workforce from smoking in no smoking areas is also liable for a fine of up to £2,500 under the Health Act 2006.”
A second driver from the local building firm operating the van was caught for the same offence a week later. The company was warned about drivers smoking in company vehicles, and has since amended their policy.
sabbott - 07/05/2014 12:28
How is a company supposed to stop a driver ,100 miles away from base having a cigarette in a van..... You see all sorts of council workers smoking in their vehicles , are councils going to take themselves to court and fine themselves £2500,not that it would make any difference as the ratepayers would effectively be paying the bill..... All in all an unenforceable bit of legislation apart from where there is an enforcement officer "right on site" as someone throws the dimp out the window.