Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014

Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014
Oireachtas
Long title An Act to create an offence of smoking a tobacco product in the presence of a child in a mechanically propelled vehicle; and to provide for related matters.
Citation	No. 40 of 2014
Considered by	Seanad Éireann
Considered by	Dáil Éireann
Assented to	25 December, 2014
Commenced	1 January 2016
Legislative history
First chamber: Seanad Éireann
Bill title	Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Bill 2012
Introduced by	Jillian van Turnhout
First reading	3 May 2012
Second reading	8 May 2012
Third reading	17 April 2014
Second chamber: Dáil Éireann
Member(s) in charge	Deputy James Reilly TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
Second reading	8 October 2014
Third reading	18 October 2014
Status: Current legislation

The Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014 is an act of Oireachtas which prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle containing a child.

Background

In 2011, the Minister for Health, James Reilly, commented that the government was considering plans to introduce. a ban on cars containing children under the age of 16 years. ^[1]

Provisions

The legislation bans smoking in cars containing children. ^[2]

Implementation

The act came into force on 1 January 2016. ^[3] Fines can be up to €100 under the legislation. ^[2]

Zero people were fined in the first year after the legislation came into effect. ^[4]

Further developments

Similar provisions were included in the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. ^[5]

References

1. "Children on board? Smoking in cars may be banned". The Journal . 27 July 2011. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
2. "Smoking ban for cars 'is to protect children'". Irish Examiner . 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
3. "Smoking in cars with children banned from new year". RTÉ News. 17 December 2015. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
4. Larkin, Laura (5 January 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Zero people fined for smoking in cars with children one year on from law". Irish Independent . Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
5. "Smoking in cars with children to be banned in the Republic of Ireland". BBC News. 17 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2025.