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| Smoking in cars with children will be banned in Wales | Smoking in cars with children will be banned in Wales |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Smoking in cars when children are present will be banned in Wales, the first minister has announced. | Smoking in cars when children are present will be banned in Wales, the first minister has announced. |
| Carwyn Jones and Health Minister Mark Drakeford have said a consultation on the landmark ruling will be launched. | Carwyn Jones and Health Minister Mark Drakeford have said a consultation on the landmark ruling will be launched. |
| They say it aims to protect youngsters from the effects of second-hand smoke in a confined space. | They say it aims to protect youngsters from the effects of second-hand smoke in a confined space. |
| Wales became the first country in the UK to consider tackling the issue of smoking in cars when children are present. | |
| Those who flout a ban could face fines and points on their licences. | |
| Any new regulations would apply solely to Wales, but the Welsh government says it is in touch with the Department of Health in England to "co-ordinate approaches" on the issue. | Any new regulations would apply solely to Wales, but the Welsh government says it is in touch with the Department of Health in England to "co-ordinate approaches" on the issue. |
| Welsh government-backed research by Cardiff University has suggested one in 10 children in Wales continue to be exposed to smoke in family cars. | |
| 'Public support' | |
| Dr Graham Moore, who led the study, welcomed the ban. | |
| "There is evidence to show high levels of public support for a ban on smoking in cars carrying children," he said. | |
| "Our evidence points to a need for continued action to make smoking in front of children less socially acceptable, whether in the car or at home." | |
| The first minister said: "While I welcome the fact the number of children being exposed to smoking in cars has declined, a sizeable minority of young people are still being exposed and adults continue to smoke in their cars when children are present." | |
| Mr Drakeford added: "Although the research findings show that progress has been made in reducing children's exposure to second-hand smoke in cars, we now believe the introduction of regulations to prohibit smoking in private vehicles carrying under-18s is needed as the final piece in the jigsaw to eliminate the harm and end persistent inequalities in exposure. | |
| "We will now consult on these proposals and I urge people to have their say." | |
| It follows a vote earlier this year in Westminster on the issue which was passed by 376 votes to 107. It gave ministers in England and Wales the power to bring in a ban - but does not compel them to do so. | |
| In England, the UK government wants to introduce a ban before the next general election, which is due in 2015. |