Smoking in cars ban on agenda
Ashley Gardiner
February 07, 2008 12:00am
Article from: Herald Sun
A BAN on smoking in cars with children could be part of the next wave of anti-tobacco laws. The policy rethink follows plans by the Nationals to introduce anti-smoking legislation into State Parliament.
In Question Time yesterday, Nationals leader Peter Ryan asked Premier John Brumby whether the ban would be introduced. Mr Brumby said his Government would release a new strategy later this year or early next year.
A ban on smoking in cars would be considered, he said.
As recently as last December, Mr Brumby made no comment on the proposal.
Quit Victoria this week called for the ban. Executive director Fiona Sharkie said smoking in cars, even with the window down, produced at least as much harmful second-hand smoke as a smoky bar.
"Children and babies cannot escape from the poisons contained in cigarette smoke when confined in a car with a smoker," she said. "(The ban) would be a significant step in protecting children against the harms of second-hand smoke.
"We already use seat belts and special fittings to protect the safety of younger passengers in cars. Implementing a ban on smoking in cars when children are present is really a natural extension of this."
Research by Quit shows more than 90 per cent of those surveyed supported the ban.
A similar ban was introduced in Tasmania on January 1.
Smoking was banned in restaurants in 2001, under covered railway platforms in 2006, and in pubs and bars last year.
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