Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle has pressed the case for a ban on adults smoking in cars carrying children.
The South Wales East AM tabled a question to the First Minister pressing him to spell out the impact Welsh Government policy has had on reducing the numbers of adults smoking in cars where children are carried as passengers.
The policy formulated in 2011 aims to find out whether the prevalence of smoking in cars carrying children will show a reduction through publicity.
Mr Whittle said: “It is well known that 80% of the public want smoking in cars carrying children to be banned, yet 22% of adults still smoke when children are in their cars.
“Eminent medics tell us that this form of passive smoking leads to asthma, chest infections, ear problems and even cot deaths. While we have been waiting for the past two years, children have been suffering. I know that some Conservatives have opposed this with shouts about personal freedom.
“Is it not time, First Minister, to put the right of children to good health above so-called personal freedoms and ban smoking in cars in which children are passengers?”
First Minister Carwyn Jones said the Welsh Government had commissioned research into primary and secondary school age children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in cars and that results will be available later this year.
He said: “We have always said that, if the voluntary approach does not work, we will look to legislate.”
Banning smacking & smoking in cars. How about breathing next?
Hmmm, there's sarcasm then there's sarcasm Ronny. Smacking harms people (hence why it's illegal to hit adults) and smoking can kill…breathing is kind of essential…well is.
Mr Whittle does seem very 'nanny state' orientated. Banning smacking, banning smoking. The thing is, can you legislate for everything? I think not.
Ronny, the whole idea is to educate adults on how to behave.
Educating somebody is one thing. Banning something is another. The two are very different Jeff.
Ronny, if people were educated sufficiently there would be no requirement to ban anything.
The visceral urge of politicians is to pass new laws. Stop them! We can cover every contingency with the 1,000 odd years of law making already done.
Watch "V" for Vendetta.
It is common sense not to smoke with kids in the car but come on when are we going to have laws that are needed like defibs in every school, heart screening for 14 – 35 year olds, 12 children are dying every week in the UK with heart related conditions that be sorted out by screening programmes.
Heart Screening is vital see: youtube.com/watch?v=OhWEMZGNhhA
Please support Cardiac Risk in the Young.