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Car smoking: MPs set to vote on ban when children present Car smoking: MPs support ban when children present
(35 minutes later)
MPs are set to vote later on whether to back a ban on smoking in cars when children are present. MPs have backed a call for an England-wide ban on smoking in cars when children are passengers.
If the Commons backs the amendment to the Children and Families Bill, it will give the health secretary the power to bring in a ban in England. They voted in favour of a Labour-supported amendment to the Children and Families Bill by a majority of 269.
But it would not immediately mean a change in the law. This will give Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt the power to bring in a ban in England but will not immediately mean a change in the law.
Last week, more than 700 health experts wrote an open letter to MPs urging them to back the measure. But critics say legislation is "unnecessary". Last week, more than 700 experts wrote to MPs urging them to back change. But critics say legislation is not needed.
The amendment empowers, but does not compel, the government to make it a criminal offence for drivers to fail to prevent smoking in their vehicles when children are present. The amendment - passed by 376 votes to 107 - empowers, but does not compel, the government to make it a criminal offence for drivers to fail to prevent smoking in their privately owned vehicles when children are present.
The government has told its MPs that they can have a free vote on the issue. Downing Street confirmed that David Cameron would miss the vote, as he is staying in the South West overnight to visit areas affected by flooding. 'Will listen'
The government gave its MPs a free vote on the issue, after the House of Lords passed the amendment last month.
Prime Minister David Cameron missed the vote because he is staying in the South West overnight to visit areas affected by flooding.
Labour has said that if the measure does not become law before the next election, it will be included in its manifesto.Labour has said that if the measure does not become law before the next election, it will be included in its manifesto.
'Different ways'
Opening the debate in the Commons, Health Minister Jane Ellison said the government would "listen to what Parliament has to say on the important principle that it should legislate" to ban smoking in cars containing children.Opening the debate in the Commons, Health Minister Jane Ellison said the government would "listen to what Parliament has to say on the important principle that it should legislate" to ban smoking in cars containing children.
But there were "many different ways of acting in this area", she added.But there were "many different ways of acting in this area", she added.
The success or otherwise of a ban could not be measured "by the number of enforcement actions, but the reduction of exposure to second-hand smoke", Ms Ellison said. The success or otherwise of a ban could not be measured by the number of enforcement actions, but the reduction of exposure to second-hand smoke, Ms Ellison said.
For Labour, shadow health minister Luciana Berger said: "Hundreds of thousands of children are being exposed to this (smoke) every single week."For Labour, shadow health minister Luciana Berger said: "Hundreds of thousands of children are being exposed to this (smoke) every single week."
She added that legislation could "have a great impact on children and improve public health", asking whether MPs "should do something or stand by and do nothing".She added that legislation could "have a great impact on children and improve public health", asking whether MPs "should do something or stand by and do nothing".
In their letter, published in the British Medical Journal last week, the respiratory health experts argued that exposure to second-hand smoke is a "major cause of ill-health in children", particularly among the most disadvantaged groups. In a letter published in the British Medical Journal last week, respiratory health experts argued that exposure to second-hand smoke was a "major cause of ill-health in children", particularly among the most disadvantaged groups.
It says smoking in cars exposes children to particularly "high amounts of tobacco smoke" and there is now a consensus that children should be protected from such unnecessary hazards. It said smoking in cars exposed children to particularly "high amounts of tobacco smoke" and there was now a consensus that children should be protected from such unnecessary hazards.
It also says there are precedents to a ban, including laws to require people to wear seatbelts and, more recently, the ban on mobile phones while driving. It also said there were precedents for a ban, including laws to require people to wear seatbelts and, more recently, the ban on using mobile phones while driving.
Bans on smoking in cars carrying children already exist in countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa and the US.Bans on smoking in cars carrying children already exist in countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa and the US.
Simon Clark, director of smokers' lobby group Forest, said smoking in cars with children was "inconsiderate", but there was "a line the state shouldn't cross when it comes to dictating how people behave in private places".Simon Clark, director of smokers' lobby group Forest, said smoking in cars with children was "inconsiderate", but there was "a line the state shouldn't cross when it comes to dictating how people behave in private places".
He urged MPs to reject the amendment.
In Wales, the government has said it would consider a ban if an awareness campaign did not lead to a drop in children's exposure to second-hand smoke.In Wales, the government has said it would consider a ban if an awareness campaign did not lead to a drop in children's exposure to second-hand smoke.
In Scotland, Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume has indicated he will be presenting a bill this year to bring in a ban, while Northern Ireland's health minister has announced plans for a consultation on the issue.In Scotland, Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume has indicated he will be presenting a bill this year to bring in a ban, while Northern Ireland's health minister has announced plans for a consultation on the issue.