Warning to vapers as people caught puffing at bus stops could face £100 fines

PEOPLE caught vaping at bus stops could face £100 fines under laws going through Parliament.

bodies would get powers to issue on-the-spot fixed penalty notices for those caught puffing.

The authorities will be able to decide on the size of the charge — up to £100 — but failure to pay on time could result in fines of up to £1,000.

And it could apply to open-air bus stops as well as shelters with a roof and sides.

But claim the clampdown is by the back door as the measures were buried in legislation to improve .

It allows authorities such as to introduce by-laws to tackle like smoking and .

Although is banned on bus services and stations, it usually does not apply to bus stops.

Shadow Housing Secretary said: “The Government is trying to crack down on vaping without being upfront about it.

“It’s giving puffed-up mayors like Sadiq Khan more power to mess with people’s daily routines.”;

A came into effect last month.

And under separate legislation, is banning anyone born after January 2009 from ever being able to legally buy cigarettes.

A Department for Transport spokesman last night said: “The suggestion these measures amount to a stealth vaping ban is totally false.”;

He added the department will issue guidance that fines should be issued only as a last resort if initial warnings are ignored.

People caught vaping at bus stops could face £100 fines under laws going through Parliament