MSP Hume proposes smoke ban in cars with children

Date: 2nd April 2013
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

MSP for South Scotland, Jim Hume, has announced his intention to consult on a proposal for a Member's Bill which would ban passive smoking in cars with children.

Jim Hume said the following: "It doesn't seem fair that children should suffer from passive smoking during the school run... It doesn't seem fair that any child should have to be swallowed up in a cloud of tar and nicotine on their way to football or dance classes".

Research carried out by the Royal College of Physicians has revealed that children exposed to passive smoking are more likely to start smoking than those growing up in smoke free environments.

Reacting to Hume's initiative, Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland said: "We are pleased to see that this new strategy covers prevention, protection and cessation and support a number of the actions outlined - particularly the commitment to reducing children's exposure to second hand smoke and the investment in education programmes for young people. Children in Scotland would however also urge the Scottish Government to consider further measures to protect child passengers in cars."

• Read the full Children in Scotland reaction here.