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North Ayrshire taxi driver suspended after second smoking offence
- Perry Richardson
- 8 minutes ago
- 1 min read
A North Ayrshire taxi driver has been handed a three-week suspension after being caught smoking inside his cab for a second time.
Alister Gill, who has held a taxi licence since 2007, was seen driving slowly with the driver’s window partially open and a cigarette in his right hand. He subsequently collected a passenger from an Aldi store.
Licensing standards officer Drew Robertson traced Mr Gill and informed him that the incident would be reported to North Ayrshire Council’s licensing committee. Council policy prohibits drivers and passengers from smoking cigarettes or using vapes inside licensed vehicles.
Committee members said the earlier written warning had not prevented a repeat offence. Councillor Christina Larsen said Mr Gill’s lengthy experience in the taxi trade meant he should have been fully aware of the rules.
Committee chair Eleanor Collier raised additional concerns that Mr Gill had collected a live hire immediately after smoking. Mr Gill told members that he had reduced his smoking and promised not to smoke inside the vehicle again, describing the disciplinary process as “worse than going to the dentist”.
Councillor Larsen proposed suspending the licence for three weeks. The committee unanimously approved the penalty, which will take effect after 28 days.
