Driving Luton to go smoke free

Luton Borough Council and Luton Stop Smoking Services (LSSS) have joined forces to deliver a new project, which aims to keep commercial vehicles in the town smoke free and raise awareness of the health risks of smoking.

The pilot project, which is the first of its kind in the country, is targeted at drivers of commercial vehicles and licensed taxi and private hire cars. It provides those who would ordinarily receive a penalty notice for smoking in their vehicles with the option of receiving support from LSSS instead of paying their £30 fine.

This support is provided through a stop smoking session, which is delivered by representatives from Luton Borough Council and LSSS. The first session, which took place this month at Luton Town Hall, was attended by eight drivers who had been observed smoking in their vehicles. It provided an opportunity for these drivers to ask questions about the enforcement procedure and also find out more about NHS stop smoking services available to help them quit.

Martin Grout, from Environmental & Consumer Services at Luton Borough Council, who initiated the project said:

“It’s important everyone can be sure public transport will always be free from harmful second hand smoke. That is why regulations were introduced through the Health Act in 2006 to make all work vehicles smoke free. We set up the enforcement project to ensure drivers in Luton are aware of this law and to give them a chance to learn more about why these regulations exist.”

Beverley Pratt, from Luton Stop Smoking Service, who presented the first session said:

“The first session was well received by those who attended. We’re really keen to make smokers in Luton aware of NHS support available to help them quit - particularly when they are endangering the health of others travelling in their vehicles. This project gave us a good platform to speak to them about the health risks associated with smoking. Hopefully after this session drivers will not only think twice about smoking in their vehicles but also about lighting up after they leave their vehicles.”

For more information about the 2006 Health Act please visit dh.gov.uk.