DRIVERS are expected to be given a grace period as new laws banning smoking in cars containing children come into force from tomorrow.

The landmark legislation, which is designed to protect children from the effects of tobacco smoke, means the driver and any smoker can be fined £50 if they have someone under 18 in the car with them.

Police and local authorities have been told they are able to enforce the law immediately, but are thought to favour a period of educating drivers rather than enforcement action.

Roads Policing Inspector Steve Cox said: “Wiltshire Police is in full support of this new law, which aims to protect children from harm to their health caused by exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles.

“As the existing smokefree law extends to vehicles, nationally police forces will be taking an educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach when enforcing the new legislation. This would see people being given warnings rather than being issued with fines, which would give time for public awareness of the offences to build. 

“This is based on experience of implementing the current smokefree legislation and the Department of Health’s proposal that this approach should be adopted for a minimum of three months to help build a high level of compliance.

“Local authorities enforce the existing legislation and police forces are included as enforcement authorities for the new offences. During this period individual offences that justify enforcement action will be reported to local authorities.”

Smoking groups have welcomed the new measures, which are designed to reduce the risks caused by second-hand smoke.

Ian Gray, principal policy officer for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said it is anticipated there will be "very high levels of compliance" from drivers.

He said: "Hardly anyone can believe it is a good idea to smoke in your car when children are present.

"To help people comply, we have provided advice on using no-smoking signs and what to do when someone tries to smoke in your car, as well as keeping your car completely smoke-free.

"However, where people ignore all of the advice and are determined to smoke in ways that puts children's health at risk, there are enforcement measures that can be taken."