Reilly to fast-track law to ban smoking in cars

Health Minister James Reilly has agreed to fasttrack legislation to ban people smoking in cars carrying children after the Seanad passed the statute some two years after the initiative began.

Senators want the ban implemented before the summer to protect children’s health if they travel in vehicles with smokers during the holiday period.

Dr Reilly accepted the legislation from the Upper House yesterday, which will see offenders slapped with fines if they smoke with minors in a vehicle.