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April 2nd, 2012:

Ban smoking in cars call: Experts want it to be made illegal for sake of kids’ health – Mirror Online

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ban-smoking-in-cars-call-experts-777614

Ban smoking in cars call: Experts want it to be made illegal for sake of kids’ health

The Government has launched an advertising campaign on the “hidden dangers” to children from breathing in second-hand smoke

Danger: A man holds a cigarette while at the wheel of a car

PA

Child health experts last night called for a ban on smoking in cars.

The Government has launched an advertising campaign on the “hidden dangers” to children from breathing in second-hand smoke.

But experts said it did not go far enough and children needed to be legally protected from adults smoking in vehicles.

Professor Terence Stephenson, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “Levels of tobacco smoke in a car can be even higher than in a smoky bar and second-hand smoke has been strongly linked to chest infections in children, asthma, ear problems and cot deaths.

“We have long campaigned on this issue and today’s announcement is a significant victory.

“But when it comes to smoking in cars when children are present, we are calling on Government to now go the extra mile and make it illegal.”

“The State does have a duty to protect children’s health and intervene where necessary.

“Other progressive legislation such as seat-belts in cars and banning drink-driving, once met with scepticism, have proven to make a significant difference.

“I have no doubt an outright ban on smoking in cars would have the same positive results.

“You can’t smoke in public places anymore. You can’t inflict your smoke on your colleagues. So why should you be allowed to inflict it on children?”

New TV and radio adverts in England will show that smoking by a window or the back door does not protect youngsters from harmful effects.

According to figures from the Royal College of Physicians, millions of children in the UK are exposed to second-hand smoke that puts them at increased risk of lung disease, meningitis and cot death.

Second-hand smoking results in over 300,000 GP visits among children ever year, 9,500 hospital visits and costs the NHS more than £23.6 million annually.

A survey of 1,000 children aged eight to 13 whose parents are smokers found 98% wished their parents would stop smoking, 82% wished their parents would not smoke in front of them at home and 78% wished they would not smoke in the car.

Meanwhile, 41% said cigarette smoke made them feel ill while 42% said it made them cough.

Dr Charles Godden, consultant paediatrician at the Royal Surrey Hospital, said: “I see children every week with conditions which are made worse by second-hand smoke.

“Most parents would be horrified to know that even a short car journey where an adult has been smoking would result in breakdown products of nicotine in their child’s urine.

“This shows exactly why we should all make our homes and cars smoke-free and that children need protection from exposure to second-hand smoke.”

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “We all know smoking kills but not enough people realise the serious effect that second-hand smoke can have on the health of others, particularly children.

“This campaign will raise awareness of this danger and encourage people to take action to protect others from second-hand smoke.

“This is just one part of our wider strategy on tobacco. We need to do more.”

But Simon Clark, director of the Forest smokers’ group, hit back. He said: “Yet again smokers are hit by a fusillade of estimates and calculations designed to spread fear and revulsion.

“It’s only a matter of time before loving parents who smoke in or around their homes are accused of child abuse and risk having their children taken into care.

“Tobacco is a legal product. Adults must be allowed to smoke somewhere.”