A Unique Child: Health - Stubbing it out

We know that second-hand cigarette smoke is very harmful. Over 80 per cent of it is invisible, but its health impact can become all too clear over time. It is especially dangerous for children and young people, who are often passive smokers against their will and are put at greater risk of conditions such as meningitis, asthma and cancer. On 1 October, a law came into force to help tackle this problem, making it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with anyone under the age of 18.

Some three million children a year are currently exposed to second-hand smoke in a car and about 200 of them have to visit their GP every week because of issues related to smoking. Second-hand smoke, especially in somewhere as enclosed as a car, is a huge threat to children. This is because they breathe faster than adults and so the smoke can be even more dangerous to them.

WINDING DOWN THE WINDOW

Adults tend to assume that they can limit - or eliminate - the problem by winding down the car window. However, new evidence, released earlier this month, shows that even with the window open, there are still 100 times more dangerous chemicals in the air than safety guidelines recommend.

Children have no control over these invisible toxins, and over a third of those who are exposed to second-hand smoke in vehicles feel unable to ask the person to stop. They are often scared or embarrassed and do not know what to say. There is, however, a groundswell of support for this legislation, with research showing 86 per cent of children and 80 per cent of adults in favour of the ban.

This law is about protecting children. It will become part of the Highway Code and so become ingrained in the process of learning to drive. Ultimately, though, the best thing we can do to improve the health of children, and in turn of adults who smoke, is to give people the support they need to stop smoking.

Also starting on 1 October is Stoptober, the annual 28-day quitting challenge that offers a range of free advice and support. It has helped thousands of people to quit smoking and people who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stop for good.

FINDING OUT MORE

For more on the smoking ban, visit www.gov.uk/government/news/smoking-in-vehicles.

Stoptober is a public health campaign taking place in England. To sign up, search Stoptober online or visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober. For other cessation campaigns, see: www.stopsmokingwales.com and www.canstopsmoking.com (Scotland) and www.want2stop.info (Northern Ireland).

IN SUPPORT

On the ban of smoking in cars, Professor Neena Modi, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says: 'This law is an important milestone not only for child health but also for their future health as adults.

'This, coupled with the implementation of standardised tobacco packaging next year, sends a clear message that smoking is not cool - it kills.

'A ban on smoking in cars will help safeguard the 300,000 children or more, going to their GP with smoking related illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It will also go some way to help reduce sudden infant deaths and asthma, which have strong links to passive smoking.

'Smoke in cars is up to 11 times more concentrated than even in a smoky bar.'