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MSP wants ban on smoking in cars carrying children MSP wants ban on smoking in cars carrying children
(35 minutes later)
A bid to make smoking in vehicles when children are present illegal is being launched by an MSP.A bid to make smoking in vehicles when children are present illegal is being launched by an MSP.
South of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume wants to introduce a members bills at the Scottish Parliament which would bring in a ban.South of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume wants to introduce a members bills at the Scottish Parliament which would bring in a ban.
He is opening a public consultation on his proposals which he says would safeguard the rights of children.He is opening a public consultation on his proposals which he says would safeguard the rights of children.
Several health organisations back the ban, but a smokers' campaign group said the law would be unenforceable.Several health organisations back the ban, but a smokers' campaign group said the law would be unenforceable.
The proposed ban is being supported by ASH Scotland and the British Lung Foundation.The proposed ban is being supported by ASH Scotland and the British Lung Foundation.
The British Lung Foundation had previously urged Scottish politicians to do more to stop people smoking in cars when children are passengers.The British Lung Foundation had previously urged Scottish politicians to do more to stop people smoking in cars when children are passengers.
In 2011, a Scottish study suggested air quality inside a smoker's car was comparable to industrial smog in cities such as Beijing or Moscow - even when the driver had windows open.In 2011, a Scottish study suggested air quality inside a smoker's car was comparable to industrial smog in cities such as Beijing or Moscow - even when the driver had windows open.
Research by the University of Aberdeen found that 7% of 11-year-olds experience smoking in cars.
Speaking ahead of the launch of his consultation, Mr Hume said: "Passive smoking is entirely avoidable and a private vehicle is one of the few places a child can still be legally exposed to tobacco smoke.Speaking ahead of the launch of his consultation, Mr Hume said: "Passive smoking is entirely avoidable and a private vehicle is one of the few places a child can still be legally exposed to tobacco smoke.
"I want to change this so that we can better safeguard the rights of children in Scotland and give them the healthiest start in life."I want to change this so that we can better safeguard the rights of children in Scotland and give them the healthiest start in life.
"I'll be making that case to MSPs today when I launch the consultation, but I hope that people and organisations from across Scotland will have their say."I'll be making that case to MSPs today when I launch the consultation, but I hope that people and organisations from across Scotland will have their say.
"Countries such as Canada, Australia and some states in the USA have already taken this step. I know that attitudes to smoking have changed dramatically even over the past ten years, but if this can improve a single child's health I think it is a step we need to take.""Countries such as Canada, Australia and some states in the USA have already taken this step. I know that attitudes to smoking have changed dramatically even over the past ten years, but if this can improve a single child's health I think it is a step we need to take."
The consultation will run until August after which Mr Hume must get cross-party support to take the proposals further.The consultation will run until August after which Mr Hume must get cross-party support to take the proposals further.
However, campaigners criticised the proposed bill.However, campaigners criticised the proposed bill.
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: "We don't encourage adults to smoke in cars carrying children but legislation is disproportionate to the problem.Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: "We don't encourage adults to smoke in cars carrying children but legislation is disproportionate to the problem.
"Most smokers are sensible enough to know that lighting up in a car with children is inconsiderate at best and research suggests that only a tiny minority still do it."Most smokers are sensible enough to know that lighting up in a car with children is inconsiderate at best and research suggests that only a tiny minority still do it.
"Education has to be better than yet another law that would be very difficult to enforce.""Education has to be better than yet another law that would be very difficult to enforce."
He added: "A ban on smoking in private vehicles would represent a major intrusion into people's private lives. What next, a ban on smoking in the home if children are present?"He added: "A ban on smoking in private vehicles would represent a major intrusion into people's private lives. What next, a ban on smoking in the home if children are present?"