A consultation has begun in Wales to gather opinion on whether it should be made illegal to smoke inside a car.
Following the widespread indoor smoking ban and its successes over recent years, Welsh government officials are looking to find a way to further reduce the effects of second hand smoking, particularly where children are affected. The proposed changes in law would mean that a car user caught smoking with an under 18 in the vehicle could be fined £50 on the spot.
Carwyn Jones is the Welsh First Minister and said ‘Some people light up in their cars without thinking and believe that opening the window will help disperse the smoke; however it simply blows back into the car. Children cannot escape from the toxic chemicals contained in second-hand smoke when travelling in vehicles.’
Mark Drayford is the Welsh Health Minister and he made it clear that the government feel strongly on the issue, he added ‘Our aim is to protect the health of children and young people from the harm associated with exposure to second-hand smoke when travelling in private vehicles.‘
Changing the law would protect children from the health harms associated with exposure to second-hand smoke in private vehicles, encourage action by smokers to protect children from second-hand smoke and lead to a reduction in health conditions in children caused by exposure to second-hand smoke.’
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