Testing times for drivers who smoke
Thursday, July 26, 2007 
Interviewed on Dublin 98FM last night, I was asked to comment on a story in which an Irish smoker (Charles) was refused his driving test because the examiner didn't care for the smell of tobacco smoke in Charles's car. Note: there is no question that he was smoking in the car while the examiner was present. What is in dispute is when he last lit up in the car. Charles claimed it was eleven hours previously, the examiner believed it to be shortly before the test.
Only in Ireland, you might think. But no. I have just checked and according to the Driving Standards Agency here in the UK:
From 1 July 2007 smoking in vehicles used as workplaces will be banned in England. Although the legislation will only apply to instructors’ vehicles candidates for test need to be aware that if you bring your own vehicle to test it is DSA policy to provide a smoke free working environment for all staff. The examiner may therefore refuse to conduct the test if the vehicle contains tobacco smoke.
Note: it doesn't say "smell of tobacco smoke" but that won't stop the more fastidious examiner. Expect similar stories in the UK within the year.
Smoking
Reader Comments (4)
It really is amazing when they, in fact all of us, are far more at risk from the vehicle fumes than direct or indirect inhalation of cigarrete smoke! It really is time people woke up to the true facts and stopped hiding behind nannies skirts.
Lyn
Lyn, it is really time we all started doing a lot more than hiding anywhere. I am fed up with hiding.
Whether you are a smoker or a non smoker, we are all human, and as such are entitled to human rights, the same as everyone else.
We should all start demanding these rights through our MPs. If they are deluged with letters demanding that something is done then surely they have to act?
I agree with Peter Thurgood write to your MP and demand that the smoking ban be reversed if they think smokers will except the fact that they have banned it nothing will be done.Dont just lay back and except this ban write now to complain we are all tax payer and voters too and deserve the right to be heard.
The bottom line is..The de-normalization of smoking.
To quarantine/isolate the smoker.
www.forces.org