A new medical survey has prompted medical experts to advise the government to extend the current smoking bank to include cars that carry children. Obviously as the car is a confined space (more confined than public places like restaurants, etc.) so it seems like this could be a natural progression in smoking restrictions.
A recent survey which was set up by the British Lung Foundation found that over half of children aged eight to fifteen years old have been exposed to cigarette smoke in a Car and 86% of those children want the practice stopped. This is not surprising, I am a non smoker, and since the smoking ban came into place the smell of smoke has become much clearer. I have on numerous occasions wondered how bad the previous environment must have been if the smell is so strong.
The survey was conducted with 1,000 children and has subsequently been handed to number 10 Downing Street in the form of a petition with 15,000 signatures. The petition asks ministers to look further at smoking legislation and to extend the current ban to cover cars carrying children.
From personal experience I can understand why the British Lung Foundation (BLF) is so worried. I picked up a job car where someone had smoked in it (even though this was not allowed) and even though this practice had only happened once it took two months to clear the odor from the car. The BLF also quotes new research stating that one cigarette smoke in a car (with open windows) carries more in-depth risks than second-hand smoke in a pub.
This is clearly going to be a worry for the foundation and we think this will get the government thinking. However it is not an easy issue to sort out, the Government will also be left by the dilemma of where does their powers begin and end. Can they tell people what to do in their own homes and possessions? Let's face it people buy their own cigarettes, they pay their taxes so should this be something the Government can actually tell people to do. There will be an argument to say that people should be given the information regarding the risks and then let people decide themselves.
We think this will be a very interesting decision for the Government to take, and it will be closely monitored in the press. You also have to think there is also a further bit of leverage the Government will face. This will be pressure from the tobacco companies, they have already been hit with the smoking ban and now face this being pushed even further which will hit their revenues hard. They already pay a huge levy on their product and have had their advertisement rights reduced as well.
We will keep you informed!!
Stephen writes articles covering related topics to Compare Car Insurance and Compare Van Insurance. |
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