A CABBIE has been fined more than £500 for smoking in his taxi.

Paul Alexander Watchman was caught lighting up three times in his cab, Swansea magistrates heard.

Smoking in public places in Wales became illegal in April 2007.

The ban includes pubs, restaurants and other public places where people congregate, as well as work-based vehicles such as taxis and buses.

Fifty-five-year-old Watchman, from Rhondda Street, Mount Pleasant, was not in court for the hearing, but was ordered to pay a total of £625 in his absence.

The smoking offences happened between May and August last year on The Kingsway, High Street and Francis Street.

Swansea Council smoking enforcement officers confirmed to the court that the driver had previously been given a written warning and a fixed penalty for breaking the same law in 2007 and 2008.

Watchman was fined £525 — and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge — for one of the offences, with no additional fines being imposed for the other offences.

John Hague, Swansea Council's cabinet member for the environment, urged drivers of work-based vehicles to avoid lighting up when behind the wheel.

He said: "Since the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places, the council has taken its responsibilities very seriously in terms of ensuring people comply with the ban.

"We have noticed less compliance in the ban by some drivers of commercial and licensed vehicles.

"We would urge companies to remind staff who drive vehicles to remember vehicles used for work are also considered a public place, and the legislation covers these vehicles."

Since the Wales-wide ban was introduced, Swansea Council has issued 53 fixed penalties to people for smoking in company and licensed vehicles, and has brought six successful prosecutions for the same offences.

jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk