16.07.14
Banning smoking in cars carrying children a good step forward
It isn’t always that we at NHE agree with government consultations. However, the news that the DH is consulting on ‘ending’ (we would prefer banning) smoking in cars carrying children is good news.
The consultation on the initiative will run for six weeks ending on 27 August. It also follows a Parliament vote in February, which was in favour of make private vehicles carrying children smoke-free.
Back in 2007, smoke-free legislation was introduced in England and Wales to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. However, that legislation does not extend to private vehicles.
But only two years ago, the Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Among Young People in England survey (SDDS) revealed that 26% of 11-15 year olds are exposed to second-hand smoke in their family’s car and 30% in someone else’s car.
Evidence has also shown that secondhand smoke is a real and substantial threat to child health, causing a variety of adverse health effects including increased susceptibility to lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis and the worsening of asthma.
Public health minister Jane Ellison was right in saying that “improving children’s health is a priority”. She added that the only effective way to protect children from second-hand smoke is to prevent them breathing it in in the first place. We would agree entirely with that.
One of the major problems we can see with this divisive issue will be in enforcing the legislation if it passes through Parliament in the future. Good luck with that one.
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]