The police say they haven’t caught anyone lighting up behind the wheel since Jersey became the first place in the British Isles to ban smoking in a motor vehicle carrying children.
The change to Jersey Law came into force at the beginning of the month and is being enforced by the Police although it was always hoped that education and a growing awareness of the dangers of second hand smoke would encourage people to snub out the habit.
A police spokesperson said: “We have been carrying out our standard road checks but I would like to think that the majority of people are being sensible and not doing it.”
Estimates from the Health department suggest that as many as 1,800 young people in Jersey may be exposed to second-hand smoke on a weekly basis.
To support the new regulations, a smoke-free cars campaign was launched in early June. Posters and banners highlighting the change in the law and the harms of second-hand smoking are up in lots of spots around the Island.
Help2Quit Coordinator Rhona Reardon said smokers should be able to cope without a cigarette when children are in the car especially when the average journey in Jersey is only three miles.