On Monday 9 November 2026, nicotine pouch firm Alternix published freedom of information returns on fixed penalty notices issued to drivers caught smoking in licensed vehicles. Requests went to 379 councils. The returns put notices 45 per cent lower in 2025/26 than in 2024/25, when the earlier returns totalled 415. The percentages and the council totals below are that compilation, not an official national count.
The highest totals
Liverpool City Council issued 95 notices in 2025/26, the highest total in the returns, and 7.7 per cent fewer than the 103 it issued in 2024/25, when it also had the highest total.
Birmingham City Council issued 28, compared with 48 a year earlier. Mid Ulster District Council issued 21, compared with 32, a fall of 34 per cent.
Calderdale issued 12, Hart District Council 11, Folkestone and Hythe 7, and Bradford 6. Oldham and East Ayrshire each issued 5. Kirklees issued 4.
Where totals rose
Oldham recorded the largest rise since 2024/25, from 2 notices to 5, an increase of 150 per cent. East Ayrshire went from 3 to 5, an increase of 67 per cent. The returns also record a 100 per cent rise at Blaenau Gwent, Cheltenham, Dundee and Durham, and a 17 per cent rise at Folkestone and Hythe.
From the company
David Phillips of Alternix told Birmingham Live, "Second-hand smoke is a known killer. It is really encouraging to see many councils are reducing the number of FPNs being issued, due to work being done to reduce smoking and encourage other forms of nicotine. It's great that if smoking is caught, councils are taking action to enforce the law and ensure members of the public can enjoy a smoke-free journey."
The offence in England and Wales
Where a vehicle is smoke-free, smoking in it is an offence under section 7 of the Health Act 2006. A person convicted is liable to a fine up to a level on the standard scale set by regulations. The section applies in England and Wales.