Ban on smoking in cars with children comes into effect across England today

SMOKING in cars with children present is banned in England from today (Thursday, October 1) under new laws put forward by the government.

A fine of £50 will be issued to people who smoke or who fail to prevent another person smoking.

The law applies to every driver, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence. You will be breaking the law if you smoke with the windows or sunroof open, with the air conditioning on, or if you are smoking in a vehicle with the door open.

Both the driver and the smoker can be fined £50 if anyone smokes in the vehicle while someone under 18 is present.

The move comes after a free vote in Parliament in February gave ministers the power to introduce the law, although it did not compel them to.

Police across the UK have raised concerns about the importance of enforcing the ban, but read how you could seriously harm a child below.

Why is smoking in cars dangerous?

1. Smoke can stay in the air for up to two and a half hours even with a window open.
2. Second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer.
3. Exposure has been strongly linked to chest infections, asthma, ear problems and cot death in children.
4. Research indicates 300,000 children in the UK visit a GP each year because of the effects of second-hand smoke, with 9,500 going to hospital.
5. Smoking in a car creates a higher concentration of toxins than in a bar, some research has put it at 11 times higher.
6. Bans on smoking in cars when children are present already exist in some US states, including California, as well as in parts of Canada and Australia

Councillor Maurice Jones, executive member for health at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “We welcome this new legislation which supports our efforts to give children the best possible start in life.

“Children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of second-hand smoke because they breathe more rapidly and have less developed airways, lungs and immune systems. When a child is within the confined space of a car, the dangers of second-hand smoke intensify – opening a car window does not remove the harmful effects of cigarette smoke.”

If you would like free and friendly advice on stopping smoking, you can quickly and easily refer yourself into the Central Bedfordshire Council Stop Smoking Service. Simply call 0800 013 0553 and press 1 for Central Bedfordshire to book an appointment to see a specialist advisor at a time and place convenient to you and to order a free Quit Kit.

You can also get information and advice at www.smokefreebedfordshire.co.uk

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