Ukraine may introduce fines of up to 140,000 hryvnias for smoking in cars with children

In a number of European countries, smoking in cars with children or pregnant women is prohibited and subject to severe fines. Fines vary from several dozen to thousands of euros, in some cases reaching 3,000 euros, which is equivalent to approximately 140,000 hryvnias, reports Interia.

In France, a fine of 135 euros is imposed for such an offense. In Italy, the amounts range from 50 to 500 euros if a pregnant woman or a child under 12 years old is in the cabin, and from 25 to 250 euros if there are teenagers aged up to 17 nearby. In Greece, the maximum fine is 1,500 euros, and the ban applies not only to private cars but also to taxis and buses.

British legislation also provides for sanctions: in England and Wales, smoking in a car with a person under 18 incurs a charge of about 60 euros (50 pounds), in Scotland - up to 100 pounds. However, if the car roof is fully open, this is not considered an offense.

Discussion in Germany

In Germany, there is currently no ban on smoking in cars with children, but possible legislative changes are being discussed. Experts believe that fines of up to 3,000 euros for violations could be an important step in ensuring road safety, as smoking can affect the driver's concentration and increase the risk of accidents. Human rights advocates state that over a million children are exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke in cars every day.

Experts note that even an open window does not eliminate health risks: the concentration of tobacco smoke in the cabin can be five times higher than in an enclosed space. In addition, the presence of cigarettes in the cabin can affect the driver's attention and pose a real accident risk.

A ban on smoking in cars with children is a surprisingly important aspect of ensuring road safety. European countries have already introduced strict fines for this violation, and Ukraine may also adopt this experience to improve road traffic safety and protect the youngest participants in road traffic.