IN-CAR SMOKER? CHECK THE LAW BEFORE GOING ABROAD

We're all looking forward to being able to travel the world once again, but it's clear many of us are looking to stay as safe as possible while on a holiday or an international business trip. For some people, a rental car gives the opportunity to stay safe and also opens up plenty more opportunities to enjoy our holiday. But, if you're a cigarette smoker, knowing when you can spark up behind the wheel can get confusing. Some countries have a blanket, no smoking law. For example, in Argentina, it is illegal to smoke and drive, as well as listening to music through headphones and using a mobile phone. However, other countries have more complicated laws. Singapore's driving laws dictate that whilst smoking is allowed in private vehicles, no secondhand tobacco smoke can be expelled. So, make sure all your windows are closed and there's no other passengers, before smoking, if you want to avoid a brush with the law. Some countries have very different laws compared to their neighbours. For example, France has banned smoking in a car with anyone under the age of 12, however, next door in Spain, you can spark up behind the wheel at any moment! The same can be said for driving through Poland into Czech Republic, as Polish law dictates that drivers cannot smoke in cars carrying passengers. However, over the border in the Czech Republic, you can smoke at any point whilst driving. So, if you're planning a road trip in the future, being aware of the driving laws is important. You need to be extra careful when driving in Italy, as they are the only country that dictates in their law that you cannot smoke when carrying a pregnant passenger. In Cyprus, the ban on smoking in cars applies when people under the age of 16 are travelling in the vehicle. The age limit is much higher in New Zealand, in comparison to Cyprus, as in June 2020, the country banned smoking in any vehicle carrying a person under 18 years old. These aren't the only countries that restrict smoking when carrying passengers under 18. Luxembourg, South Africa and Greece all have smoking bans when driving with a passenger under the age of 12. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria and Malta have a much higher age restriction. If any of your passengers are under the age of 18, it is against the law to smoke in the car. In some countries, it's a fineable offence to consume anything behind the wheel. In France, motorists can expect a fine of up to 50 euros if they're caught eating, drinking or smoking whilst operating a vehicle. In Cyprus you can face a penalty of up to 85 euros if you're found smoking in a car that's carrying a passenger under the age of 16. Malta, Ireland, and the UK all have similar penalties if you're found to be smoking in a car with an underage passenger.