Call to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children

Smoking should be banned in all vehicles carrying children, cross-party politicians were told today.

Anti-smoking lobby, Ash Ireland met TDs and Senators near Leinster House to call for urgent legislation on the issue.

Ash Ireland chairperson Dr Angie Brown said the Government must enforce the ban in conjunction with the nationwide workplace smoking ban introduced five years ago.

Ms Brown said evidence shows that passive smoke in vehicles is particularly harmful to children because they require more oxygen due to higher breathing and metabolism rates than adults.

A ban is already in place in Cyprus as well as parts of Australia, Canada and the US. Legislation is also under consideration in the Netherlands and South Africa.

Ms Brown said: “There is irrefutable evidence from the US to show that a car can be 23 times more toxic than a home environment in the context of passive smoke.”

TV environmentalist Duncan Stewart said: “The government can make this easier for all of us by just banning the practice of smoking in cars transporting children – and people will comply with this.”

Research compiled in Colorado claimed that a car can be 23 times more toxic than a house in the context of passive smoke.

“Children exposed to passive smoke are much more likely to develop asthma and lung infections,” added Ms Brown.

Ash cited evidence by the Royal College of Physicians in London that passive smoke is harmful for children, especially in the early years of development.

In the absence of new laws on the issue, Ash urged adults who transport children in cars not to smoke.

Ash Ireland is funded by the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation.