Scottish Parliament votes on ban on smoking in cars with children
Scottish Parliament backs ban on smoking in cars with children
(about 17 hours later)
A Bill to ban smoking in cars carrying children is expected to pass its first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament.
A bill to ban smoking in cars carrying children has passed its first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs will vote in favour of legislation to protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke.
MSPs voted unanimously in favour of the general principles of the legislation, which aims to protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke.
It could mean fines of up to £100 for smokers who light up in a car with a young passenger.
It could mean fines of up to £100 for smokers who light up in a car with a young passenger.
The Law Society has said drivers and any smokers in their cars where children are present should both be held criminally responsible.
The member's bill was introduced by the Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume.
There are concerns the ban would be an intrusion into people's private lives and difficult to enforce.
It had previously been backed in principle by the Scottish government, Scottish Labour and health charities as well as Holyrood's health committee, which will now further scrutinise the bill before it returns to the Holyrood chamber for final approval.
'Harmful effects'
Sheila Duffy, the chief executive of anti-smoking charity Ash Scotland, welcomed the parliament's unanimous support for the Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill.
She said: "We know that second-hand tobacco smoke is harmful and that it can reach very high levels when someone smokes in a car. Scottish survey results indicate around one fifth of 13 and 15 year olds are exposed to tobacco smoke during car journeys.
"It is pleasing that health interests were joined by the enforcement agencies, Police Scotland and environmental health officers, in supporting this bill. I am confident it will be effective in its goal of protecting children."
A ban on smoking in cars carrying under-18s came into force in England last week.
A ban on smoking in cars carrying under-18s came into force in England last week.
The legislation has been proposed by Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume.
With support from the Scottish government, the legislation is expected to be approved in principle.
It will then face further scrutiny by Holyrood's health committee.
Last month, the legislation - the Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill - was backed by Holyrood's Health Committee
At that time, Mr Hume commented: "It's shocking that 60,000 vehicle journeys are made each week in Scotland where children are exposed to second-hand smoke in that very enclosed space. Despite what people think, opening a window does not mitigate the harmful effects.
"This Bill has always been about protecting children and giving them a healthy start in life, and I'm delighted that it's received such comprehensive support from MSPs, charities and members of the public."
Alison Britton, convener of the Law Society's health and medical law committee, added: "We are supportive of the Bill's policy intent, the harmful effects of tobacco and smoking are undisputed, as well as the effects of second hand smoke, particularly for children.
"We very much welcome the recommendation that a statutory defence be included in the legislation. We would suggest that any such defence would have to include something to the effect that the driver had taken all reasonable steps to prevent the passenger from smoking, or that they also had reasonable cause to believe that all passengers were 18 or over."
Ms Britton also suggested provisions are made in the Bill to prevent the use of e-cigarettes in the same way until more information on them is available.
