Taxi drivers flouting smoking ban

Dozens of taxi drivers in Cannock Chase have been slapped on the wrist for puffing cigarettes inside their cars and scores more suspended from duty for a range of offences.

New figures released by Cannock Chase Council show that 87 suspension notices were served on taxi drivers in Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford between spring 2007 and January this year.

There are around 300 licensed taxi drivers in the district.

Police have been involved in at least 12 incidents in the last three years, including reports that a taxi driver sold cannabis to a teenager and another that a taxi driver was dealing drugs.

One driver was stripped of his operating licence after being arrested for a sexual offence, another quit after being charged with using racist words and behaviour.

Licensing staff have received complaints about taxi drivers speeding through red lights, leaving punters stranded at airports, touting in disabled bays, drinking from coffee mugs while driving and overcharging customers for journeys.

Complaints about smoking make up around 7 per cent of all reports.

More than 30 formal complaints about smoking have been recorded since spring 2007, including complaints from fellow drivers about persistent in-car smokers.

Smoking in a taxi is illegal because the vehicles are classed as a public place, and a designated place of work.

Most reports of drivers smoking at the wheel are dealt with by a letter from the licensing team.

Suspended drivers often return to work.

The number of complaints received was around 121 in 2007, climbing to 211 in 2008 but falling to around 129 in 2009.