Luton Borough Council is reminding businesses to ensure smoking regulations are adhered to after successfully prosecuting an employee of Alpha Taxi for breaching the law.
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Following an inspection last November Alpha Taxi employee, Shakeel Khan, was seen smoking inside a commercial building by a Council licensing officer.
After being warned about his conduct and reminded of the laws around smoking in workplaces, Mr Khan refused to give his details to the Council officer.
For failing to disclose his details and smoking in a commercial building, Mr Khan was issued a fixed penalty notice on 30 December.
It was noted that Mr Khan had failed to pay this fine by 7 February this year, at which time summons proceedings were instigated against him.
A hearing was scheduled at Luton Magistrates Court on Monday 26 March, which was heard in his absence after Mr Khan failed to attend.
For his original offence, failing to disclose his details and failing to pay a fixed penalty charge, Mr Khan was ordered to pay £385, including costs of £270 and a £15 victim surcharge.
Cllr Aslam Khan, Portfolio Holder for stopping smoking, said: “Smoking regulations are in place to protect the health of employees and their customers.
“Nobody should have to suffer the consequences of second-hand smoke when entering a place of business, and we will do all we can to prosecute those who think they are above the law.
“In this case, the employee in question thought he could get away with it by not giving his details or paying the original fine. He has ended up having to pay £385 – a very costly cigarette.”
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