Smokers to be fined €50 for smoking in cars with children

A €50 fine will be imposed on people found to be smoking in cars when accompanied by minors, according to a legal notice presented in Parliament yesterday.

Health minister Chris Fearne, who presented the notice, said that it applies to private cars carrying children under 16 years of age. The law, announced in the 2017 Budget, will come into force on 1 January, and covers any kind of tobacco, as well as electronic cigarettes.

Malta will be the sixth EU country to impose such a law.

Last month, Fearne had announced that the law also affects passengers, who, if caught smoking, will subject both themselves and the car driver to separate fines.

The law enjoys the support of the Tobacco Industry Advisory Council.