As expected, MPs last night (10 Feb) voted to give the Government the power to introduce a ban on smoking in cars when children are present, and the Government has indicated it intends to implement a ban.
MPs voted in favour of an amendment to the Children and Families Bill by 376 votes to 107. The vote also gives the Welsh Government the power to legislate to introduce a ban in Wales.
While the amendment does not compel the Government to introduce a ban it intends to do so, according to BBC News.
While some have argued in favour of the ban on grounds of improving the health of children, others have opposed it on grounds of state intervention on matters of personal choice, and the difficulties in terms of enforcing it.
Last week more than 700 health professionals signed a letter urging MPs to back the ban.
Click here for more background information on the issue of smoking in cars.
Is it the personal choice of the child who no doubt will have been made aware of the dangers of smoking in its early years at school? Have they been asked if they wish to be subjected to lung cancer or an early death of its parents? Or is this the thin edge of the wedge and next will we have no smoking in homes with children in?
Or is it that it distracts the driver and occupies his hands and brain whilst driving in which case there should be a total ban on all smoking whilst driving.
bob craven Lancs
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