Should smoking in cars be banned?

CAMPAIGNS have been launched across the country to remind parents that smoking in cars with children is illegal from Thursday, October 1. ALL private vehicles (including hire cars) must be smokefree if they are enclosed, there is more than one person present and one of them is under 18.

The latest research shows a sizeable minority of young people are still being exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke in cars – 17 per cent of children from poorer families report that smoking was allowed in their vehicle compared to 7 per cent of those from more affluent families.

The rules apply to every driver in Wales and England.

What do you think about this law?

Smoking will be banned in cars where children are present from next month.

The fixed penalty notice fine for both offences is £50 and both the driver and the smoker could be fined, whatever their age.

The legislation covers any private vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Smoking in cars poisons children”.

The law does not apply to e-cigarettes or when an under-18-year old is the only person in the auto.

It will not apply to anyone driving alone or driving in a convertible vehicle with the top down.

The law expands on the rules against lighting up in public and work vehicles, which have been in place since 2007.

The law does not apply if the driver is 17-years-old and is smoking on their own in a vehicle.

Enforcement officers (usually the police) will use their discretion to decide whether to issue a warning or a fixed penalty notice, or whether to refer an offence to court.

He said: “This danger is heightened when they are in the confined space of a auto and can’t escape the fumes”.

“Even smoking in a auto when the children are not in it can have an impact on their health”. This puts them at risk of serious conditions, such as meningitis, cancer and respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Previous year the Welsh Government announced proposals to change the law and held a consultation about the new regulations.