Stubbing out the smoking habit
THE motor car may have been with us for more than 120 years but it is still seen by many as a ticket to personal freedom; providing the opportunity to move and interact with a wider world around us without any significant restrictions on time or distance.
But it is those very desirable attributes that are being eroded by more legislation – the latest of which concerns smoking in cars.
New research has backed the proposed ban after concluding that the habit produces pollutants which could be harmful to passengers.
Even when smokers open their windows or use air conditioning, the concentrations of pollutants are three times higher than the World Health Organisation indoor air quality standards and such exposure is likely to affect the health of child passengers, said researchers from the University of Aberdeen.
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The data, published in Tobacco Control, examined 17 drivers, 14 of whom were smokers, who made a total of 104 journeys, with an average duration of 27 minutes. Levels of fine particulate matter were measured every minute in the rear passenger area during typical car journeys made by smokers and non-smokers over a three-day period. The average particulate matter levels were 11 times higher in smoking cars compared with non-smoking cars.
The authors of the study said that exposure to second-hand smoke is linked to several children's health problems, including sudden infant death, meningitis and respiratory conditions such as asthma and wheezing.
The Smoke-free Private Vehicles Bill to ban smoking in private cars is being considered by MPs. The Bill would outlaw smoking in cars which are carrying children, with a penalty of a smoke-free awareness course as a first offence, or a £60 fine.
Just as any road user has a personal responsibility to stay within the rules of the road and comply with vehicle legislation for the protection of others as well as themselves, there is a strong case that smoking in vehicles should be regarded in exactly the same way - for the protection of those who have no say.
Matt Joy
Comments
by CharlieDodd
Friday, October 26 2012, 7:48PM
“No caring parent would smoke in a car with their kids in it anyway, so the proposed law is only targetting bad parents..:)”
by willems
Friday, October 26 2012, 3:00PM
“Excellent. This is precisely the sort of intrusive interference into peoples lives that will start a mass revolt against political-correctness in all it's ghastly forms.
Bring it on !”
by Vinnie_Gar
Friday, October 26 2012, 2:53PM
“I think its more important to address it as a road safety measure similar to the legislation about using a phone.”
by Hearald
Friday, October 26 2012, 2:50PM
“Hitler would have done this years ago, wasn't the point of the war for our freedom”
by bracken27
Friday, October 26 2012, 2:16PM
“Why not just shoot us all now.
The Government live (in their minds) in this perfect little world where everyone does as their told,eat your greens, don't eat fish and chips,or, cake ,ect, ect ,ect.
Don't take your eyes off the road while looking at your speed dial, in a minute they'll be saying you can't take passengers ,because they're too much of a distraction.
And ! while we are on the subject of smoking, how come they still advertise drink ,when most people have been killed( not through smoking) by drink drivers, and still advertise gambling, which has caused more extreme upset than smoking ever could.And ! Why can't they do a b.o.g.o.f . on a packet of fags, the same as they do with the drink,I'll tell you why ,because the smoker is discriminated against. of which they are breaking another of their own rules.
Didn't Margret thatcher bring out a law about discrimination "Though shall not discriminate".
So Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Oh! you can't can you ,your not allowed.”
by suffolkpunch
Friday, October 26 2012, 12:46PM
“Most of us kids brought up in the mid 20th Century were exposed to our parent's smoking in a small room, and yet we are the healthiest generation ever.”
by marma495
Friday, October 26 2012, 12:14PM
“Written obviously by someone in Tobacco CONTROL.
already dismissed it as pure rubbish.”
by Foldart
Friday, October 26 2012, 9:22AM
“Namby-pamby letter.”
by Nevman
Friday, October 26 2012, 7:53AM
“Toxins inside car: bad.
Toxins coming out of back end of car: fine, apparently.”