DRIVERS can no longer smoke in cars with children as new government laws come into force today.

Smokers in the South West are warned that it is now illegal for anyone to smoke in vehicles people under 18-years-old present.

The new law is designed to help protect children from the dangers of secondhand smoke. 

Under the ban, both the driver and the smoker can be fined £50 if anyone smokes in a vehicle with a person who is under 18.

Debbie Stark, deputy centre director for Public Health England South West said: “Over 80 per cent of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless.

"Many parents aren’t aware of the high levels of dangerous chemicals that their children are subjected to if they smoke near them, especially in enclosed spaces.  

“This new experiment unearths shocking data, reinforcing that smoking in vehicles with a child is never safe.

"Even with the window down you are still putting your child at risk of developing serious health conditions.”

Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer said: “This legislation is a landmark in protecting our children from secondhand smoke.

"Smoking just a single cigarette in a vehicle exposes children to high levels of air pollutants and cancer-causing chemicals like arsenic, formaldehyde and tar, and people often wrongly assume that opening a window, or letting in fresh air, will lessen the damage. 

“I hope that all smokers, but particularly drivers and parents, will use the change in law as an opportunity to take the first steps towards quitting.

"With the laws coinciding with the start of Stoptober, there is no better time to quit and take advantage of the free support on offer.”

Smokers wishing to quit are encouraged to take part in Stoptober, the country’s 28 day mass quit attempt developed by Public Health England, which also begins today.