A taxi driver in Torfaen has been fined for smoking in his car.

New regulations came into force in Wales on 1 March 2021- Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020.

Torfaen Council’s licensing team received a complaint that a driver had lit up in his private hire vehicle. Under the which came into force on 1 March 2021,

A report to the council’s licensing committee said: “It is against the law to smoke in a vehicle that carries members of the public, therefore a vehicle licensed for either hackney carriage or private hire use is designated as a smoke-free premises.

“A licensed vehicle is a licensed vehicle at all times, irrespective as to whether or not the vehicle is being used for hackney carriage or private hire purposes. A fixed penalty notice for smoking in a smoke-free premises has been issued to the driver and to date has not been paid.”

The report did not include the total amount of the fixed penalty notice.