Council punishes decorator with on-the-spot fine for smoking in his van

A self-employed painter and decorator has been given a £30 on-the-spot fine for smoking in his own van because it is classified as a workplace.

Gordon Williams, 58, went out to buy some teabags for his wife when he was stopped as part of a roadside check by council officials.

Moments earlier he had lit a cigarette and was issued the penalty notice under anti-smoking legislation that bans it in the workplace. Mr Williams, a grandfather, is planning to appeal against the fine even though his wife has already paid it.



Although he uses the unmarked van to transport his paint and ladders he says it is not a workplace and he uses it only to travel to and from jobs.

Mr Williams said: “I was on my way to a shop to buy some teabags when the council official pulled me over. I was told that because my van is my place of work I had broken the smoking laws.

“I am dumbfounded. The van is only insured for private use and to get me to and from work. It is not my place of work. I decorate houses, not vans. I don’t use it for work so I can’t see how they can do me for smoking in the workplace.”