{"id":341,"date":"2015-09-14T16:15:48","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T15:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/direct2u.co.uk\/blog\/safety\/?p=341"},"modified":"2024-02-28T12:07:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T12:07:30","slug":"smoking-ban-in-private-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/direct2u.co.uk\/blog\/safety\/smoking-ban-in-private-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"Smoking Ban in Private Vehicles Carrying Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"new-signs-for-smoking-ban\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As of 1st<\/sup> October 2015 it will be against the law to smoke in a private vehicle carrying children as passengers.<\/h2>\n

Since the introduction of the smoking ban in enclosed public spaces in 2007 smoking in cars has been on the increase. It\u2019s not unusual to see drivers and passengers smoking with children in the back seats, possibly unaware of the effects that second-hand smoke can have for children.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s quite understandable to see how some believe smoking with windows down or their cigarette out the window will reduce the second-hand smoke and protect the passengers in the back seat. However, health authorities have found that smoke can actually stay in the air for up to 2 \u00bd hours even with a window open, and is 11 times more concentrated in cars than other enclosed spaces.<\/p>\n

This is why the UK Government have taken measures to protect children from second-hand smoke in vehicles \u2013 just like the already existing legislation to protect people in enclosed\u00a0public spaces.<\/p>\n

The Government have released many hard hitting videos warning of the unseen dangers of passive smoking in enclosed areas. They have now gone one step further by banning smoking in cars when there are people under the age of 18 present.<\/p>\n

Evidence shows that children are much more prone to the effects of second-hand smoke than adults, and the decision has been made by the UK Government to put the health of children first.<\/p>\n

If caught smoking in a vehicle with children as passengers the drive and smoker will be fined \u00a350.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have two brand new signs available to help promote and enforce the new legislation.\u00a0They have been designed to raise awareness of the smoking ban and the fines that anyone caught could face.<\/h3>\n

\"sign-1\"<\/a> \"sign-2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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>>>Order your No Smoking in Vehicle signs here<\/a>\u00a0<<<<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What does the ban mean for adults and for children?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ban of smoking with children present in vehicles in England follows a similar ban in Wales which was agreed earlier on in the year and will be implemented also on 1st<\/sup> October. Scotland has also agreed to ban smoking in cars, bringing it into line with England and Wales.<\/p>\n

The new law will apply to every driver including those aged 17 and those driving with a provisional driving license. Anyone found flouting the law in England could be fined \u00a350. This applies to both the smoker and the driver. The only exceptions will be people driving alone or driving in a convertible with the roof down.<\/p>\n

There is strong support for this legislation. It was passed in the Commons in February 2015, with 342 MPs voting in favour, and just 74 voting against.<\/p>\n

The ban has been welcomed as quite a big victory for the safeguarding of children. However, it hasn\u2019t been accepted by everyone, with some believing that it will be almost impossible to enforce and others believing it is a massive intrusion in your private.<\/p>\n

These arguments are understandable. Many smokers are already aware of the dangers of passive smoking and the dangers to children, therefore think that the law is not required and is another way of being ‘micro-managed’ by the Government. Whatever your stance, the facts on passive smoking are there and the ban will be introduced in a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n

The Facts and Figures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research indicates that around 300,000 children across the UK visit a GP each year because of the effects of second-hand smoke. 9,500 cases result in going to hospital.<\/p>\n

According to the British Lung Foundation more than 430,000 children are exposed to second-hand smoke in cars every week.<\/p>\n

Passive smoking has been linked to an increased risk of asthma, meningitis, cot death and breathing problems in children.<\/p>\n

In 2013 22% of 13 and 15 years olds in Scotland were exposed to second-hand smoke in cars at least \u2018sometimes\u2019. Of this 7% reported exposure during \u2018all\/most\u2019 of their car journeys (SALSUS, 2013).<\/p>\n

In 2014 a YouGov poll showed that 75% of Scottish adults (61% of which are smokers) agreed that smoking should be banned in vehicles which are carrying children (under the age of 18).<\/p>\n

Similar smoking bans inside vehicles are also in place in some US States, Canada, Cyprus and Australia.<\/p>\n

Info on smoking in cars<\/strong><\/p>\n