July 30, 2008

Gordon Williams is planning to appeal the £30 fine incurred when Ceredigion council stopped him for spot checks on the safety of vehicles.  A baffled Williams commented "I was told that because my van is my place of work I had broken the smoking laws," he added: "I am dumbfounded - the van is only insured for private use and to get me to and from work,"

As the Grandfather was on an errand, picking up teabags for his wife, when he was slapped with the ticket Williams accusations of "the big brother state going too far", seems more than justified.

Mr Williams' wife Sue has already paid the fine, fearing it would increase if not settled promptly.

Understandably Williams remains defiant, and will be challenging the fine. "I have appealed against this even though I initially paid the fine otherwise it would have increased to £50. "I've sent up my insurance certificate and am awaiting the outcome."

Simon Clark, the director of smoking freedom group Forest, condemned the fine as "absolutely ridiculous".

He said: "It smacks of some jobsworth council official interpreting the law to the most extreme level.

"This surely is not what the change in the law was intended for - it was not meant to harass and persecute people going about their ordinary lives.

"It is ridiculous that someone should be fined for smoking in their own private vehicle away from any workplace."

A spokesman for Ceredigion council said Mr Williams' vehicle was stopped by police as part of a multi-agency operation.

"A total of 56 vehicles were stopped and inspected during the initiative and, as a result, three fixed penalty notices were issued in connection with contraventions of the smoking in smoke-free places legislation," said the spokesman.

"All three fixed penalties have been paid.

While an interesting talking point about the merits or lunacy of the widespread smoking ban, the case sets a precident that could see white van man feeling the wrath of the law.  If you're smoking in a work van with anyone else in then it's against the law, and similarly if it's not your van, you cannot smoke in it any more...

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