Doctors call for ban on smoking in cars to protect children

The British Medical Association’s (BMA) briefing paper, which features a review of scientific evidence to support a ban on smoking in motor vehicles, calls on the Government to extend the current smoke-free legislation to include a ban on smoking in private cars.

According to research compiled by the BMA, smoking in vehicles exposes non-smokers to very high levels of second-hand smoke as toxin levels in cars are more than ten times greater than in homes where people smoke. They say that children are at particular risk from second hand smoke in cars as they absorb more pollutants and have an under developed immune system compared to adults.

The association warns that smoke toxins can remain in vehicles long after a cigarette has been smoked, which could led to a build up of harmful toxins in the car where children and other passengers sit.

It argues that children do not have the same choices as adults and may be unable to refuse to take a journey in a smoky vehicle.

The briefing paper claims that an outright ban on smoking in private vehicles is best, rather than just a ban on smoking in cars when children are present-as some countries have done, as this would avoid any uncertainty over age and it would be easier to enforce.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA’s director of professional activities, said, ‘The UK made a huge step forward in the fight against tobacco by banning smoking in all enclosed public places but more can still be done. 

‘We are calling on UK governments to take the bold and courageous step of banning smoking in private vehicles.  The evidence for extending the smoke-free legislation is compelling. The current UK Government prefers voluntary measures or ‘nudging’ to bring about public health change but this stance has been shown to fail time and time again.’

The launch of the BMA’s briefing paper coincides with the second reading of Labour MP Alex Cunningham’s Private Member’s Bill next week calling for a ban on adults smoking in cars where children are present.

Emily Humphreys, head of policy and public affairs at Asthma UK, said, ‘We fully support calls on parents and carers not to smoke in cars, particularly in the presence of children, as second-hand smoke has been proven to be harmful to children, causing asthma and triggering attacks.

'In addition, research suggests that children are more likely to start smoking if their parents or older siblings smoke so we actively encourage parents to not smoke around children and we ask them to really consider the impact this has on their health and development.’