James Reilly: ‘It’s anything but a nanny state’.

Children’s Minister James Reilly has urged drivers to “blow their horns” in order to help police a proposed new ban on smoking in cars where a person under 18 is present. 

Dr Reilly called on drivers to shame fellow road users from inflicting passive smoking on children.

The minister said he expected few on-the-spot €80 fines for the offence to be issued, as he wanted a “cultural change” to take place where people ceased smoking completely in cars carrying children.

“A lot of this will be self-policed. If you are sitting in traffic and you see an adult smoking with a child present you are going to let your mind be known by blowing your horn, attracting their attention.

“The gardaí are very happy to police it, but it will be minimal from their point of view. It is anything but a nanny state, it’s about protecting our children, vulnerable children.

“The picture of a small child stuck in a car seat with no escape sitting in a fog of toxic, carcinogenic smoke is something I would hope would be abhorrent to most people,” Dr Reilly told RTÉ.

The minister denied that the ban was part of a wider agenda which could lead to smoking in private homes where there are children being banned.

“I would advise people never to smoke when children are present wherever that might be,” Dr Reilly said, as he claimed people would be “upset” by any move to ban smoking within the home.

The Protection of Children’s Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Bill, which has cross-party support, is expected to become law early next year.

People who refuse to the pay the fine will be taken to court and could face penalties of up to €1,000.

The children’s minister insisted he would face down any legal challenge from the tobacco industry to plans to bring in plain packaging for cigarette products.