Plans to fine parents who smoke in a car with children

Since the number of children affected by second-hand smoking is at a high, there are plans to fine parents who light up in a car with a child inside.

 

Led by the spokesman for Labour public health, the new law would mean that mums and dads would get a £60 fine if caught in the act.

 

Many are saying that the ‘nanny state’ is trying to control what happens in family homes by first outlawing cigarettes in cars before banning it from people’s homes.

 

The Health Secretary however, are fully supporting the controversial move which was approved by the House of Lords just last week.

 

Campaigners also welcome the ban as they believe it would protect over a million unfortunate children who are exposed to smoking nearly every week.

 

In a survey by the Department of Health, it was found that 300, 000 UK children a year visit the GP with problems linked to second-hand smoking.

 

It is associated with respiratory infections like chest infections and pneumonia in children. It can also trigger asthma in children who suffer the condition.

 

Only last year, public health minister Anna Soubry said she would support the ban on smoking in cars with children, saying:

 

“I would ban smoking in cars where children are present would do that for the protection of children. I believe in protecting children. I would see it as a child welfare issue think it is something we should at least consider as government.”