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(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Smoke-free (Private Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 and shall come into operation on 1st February 2022.
(2) In these Regulations “the Order” means the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
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(1) The Smoke-free (Exemptions, Vehicles, Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 12 (enclosed vehicles) –
(a) after paragraph (1) insert—“
(1A) A vehicle that is not smoke-free by virtue of paragraph (1), or any part of such a vehicle, is smoke-free if-
(a) it is enclosed,
(b) there is more than one person present in the vehicle, and
(c) a person under the age of 18 is present in the vehicle.”;
(b) in paragraph (2), for “paragraph (1)” substitute “paragraphs (1) and (1A)”; and
(c) after paragraph (5) add-“
(6) Paragraph (1A) does not apply to-
(a) a caravan or motor caravan that is stationary and not on a road; or
(b) a caravan or motor caravan that is stationary, is on a road and is being used as living accommodation.
(7) In this regulation-
 “caravan” means a trailer which is designed for road use and provides mobile living accommodation;
 “motor caravan” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users;
 “road” has the same meaning as in Article 2(2) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.”.
(3) In paragraph (2) of regulation 13 (penalties and discounted amounts), after “under Article 8(2)” insert “or 9(3)”.
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(1) the Smoke-Free (Signs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In regulation 1(2) omit the definition of “smoke-free vehicle”.
(3) In regulation 3(1), for “a smoke-free vehicle” substitute “a vehicle that is smoke-free by virtue of regulation 12(1) of the Smoke-free (Exemptions, Vehicles, Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007”.
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An authorised officer of an enforcement authority who has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence under Article 9(3) of the Order in relation to a vehicle that is smoke-free by virtue of regulation 12(1A) of the Smoke-free (Exemptions, Vehicles, Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, may give that person a penalty notice in respect of the offence.
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(1) Each of the following bodies are designated as an enforcement authority for the purposes of enforcing, as respects vehicles, the provisions of the Order and regulations made under it:
(a) a district council of Northern Ireland; and
(b) the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
(2) An enforcement authority designated under paragraph (1)(a) has enforcement functions in relation to vehicles which are smoke-free by virtue of regulation 12(1) and 12(1A) of the Smoke-free (Exemptions, Vehicles, Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 that are in its district, except to the extent that those functions have been transferred to another enforcement authority under paragraph (5).
(3) An enforcement authority designated under paragraph (1)(b) has enforcement functions in relation to vehicles which are smoke-free by virtue of regulation 12(1) and 12(1A) of the Smoke-free (Exemptions, Vehicles, Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, except to the extent that those functions have been transferred to another enforcement authority under paragraph (5).
(4) In addition, each enforcement authority has enforcement functions in relation to vehicles to the extent to which functions are transferred to it under paragraph 5.
(5) Where one or more enforcement authority has reason to investigate a person for an offence under Article 7(5) (no-smoking signs), Article 8(2) (smoking in a smoke-free place), Article 9(3) (failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place) or Article 12(1) (obstruction of officers) of the Order, enforcement functions may be transferred on a case by case basis from one or more of those enforcement authorities to-
(a) An enforcement authority that is carrying out any of those investigations; or
(b) Any other enforcement authority,
under arrangements made between the transferring and receiving authorities.
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(1) In relation to penalty notices issued by an authorised officer of an enforcement authority designated as an enforcement authority for the purposes of enforcing, as respects vehicles, the provisions of the Order and regulations made under it Schedule 1 to the order shall apply as modified by paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) In paragraphs 2(2), 13(a), 15(a), 16(1) and 16(2), for “district council” substitute “district council or other enforcement authority”.
(3) In paragraph 16(4), for “council” substitute “council or other enforcement authority”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health on 6th December 2021.
Elizabeth Redmond
A senior officer of the
Department of Health
