Makes the Liverpool echo web site
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/fare-cop-90-liverpool-cigarette-6594482
Fare cop: 90% of Liverpool cigarette fines are for smoking in taxis
25 Jan 2014 19:08
418 people caught smoking in taxis since 2008
More than 90% of cigarette fines in Liverpool are for smoking in taxis.
Liverpool council has dished out 445 fines for smoking in public since 2008 – and 418 of these were for lighting up in cabs.
But smokers were also slapped with penalties in takeaways, pubs, a prison van and Millennium House, where some local authority offices are based.
The council said taxis are classed as places of work under the 2007 smoking ban. But Wayne Casey, from the National Taxi Association, said cab drivers were an “easy target”.
“If you are reported for smoking, it is difficult for taxi drivers to challenge,” he said.
“Most will just hold their hands up and pay the fine.
“The last thing you want is to risk losing your licence.”
There were 32 penalties – costing up to £200 each – given out by the city council in 2008. There were then 44 in 2009, 111 in 2010, 61 in 2011, 65 in 2012 and 132 last year.
The figures, released through Freedom of Information laws, show 27 fines were given out for smoking in Hanover Street last year – the most of any road in Liverpool.
There were another 20 given out in Victoria Street and 10 in each of Berry Street, North John Street and West Derby Road.
Three smokers was penalised for lighting up at Millennium House, in Whitechapel, in 2012.
Another was done for smoking inside Walton railway station last year.
One smoker even lit up inside a prison van last year in Crosshall Street, near the magistrates’ court in Dale Street.
A Liverpool council spokesman said: “With a few exceptions, the penalties which have been issued are for smoking in taxis, which are a workplace.
“We consider it particularly important to deal with smoking in small work environments, such as taxis, for the health of both passenger and driver.
“Liverpool led the way in campaigning for the legislation to prohibit smoking in public areas and we are determined to see it is enforced.”
And how do you risk losing your licence by not paying the fine? 
"Do you smoke, answer - YES, well fu*k off. 
