Govt considers outright ban on smoking in cars

The Government is considering an outright ban on smoking in cars.

The Minister for Health Dr James Reilly has indicated that he would be in favour of introducing new laws which would make it illegal to smoke in a car, where children under 16 are present.

This could make Ireland the first country to impose such a ban.

But it is understood the Department of Health is also considering a blanket ban on all smoking in private cars, if it was unworkable to stop people smoking in cars where children were present.

Dr Reilly said the extent of smoking in cars needed to be assessed and followed by a campaign to persuade the public a ban was necessary.

He said breaching the ban would be considered as either a road traffic offence or public health issue.

Smoking in taxis, company cars and vans, which are classed as workplaces, is already prohibited, since the no smoking ban came into effect in 2004.