Assembly Members have approved a ban on smoking in cars carrying children, with offenders likely to receive a £50 fine.
The ban will come into force on October 1 2015 and will make it an offence to smoke in a vehicle with more than one person present if they are under 18.
It will also be an offence for a driver to fail to prevent smoking in such circumstances.
Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, said that he welcomed the decision to ban smoking in cars when children were present.
Mr Whittle, who is represents the Penyrheol ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council, has been a vocal supporter of the ban.
He said: “Parents should look after their child’s welfare at all times and my view is that they are being irresponsible if they smoke in a car when a child is being carried.
“I’ve met with a leading cancer specialist who spelt it out in no uncertain terms that smoking in cars with children present is dangerous and almost as bad as allowing a child to smoke themselves.”
Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford, who introduced the regulations, welcomed AMs’ approval, hailing the ban as a major step forward for public health in Wales.
Mr Drakeford said: “I’m very pleased members of the National Assembly for Wales have approved our plans to introduce a ban on people smoking in cars when children under the age of 18 are present.
“The ban will come into force on October 1, 2015, the same day as a ban comes into force in England.
“These regulations aim to protect vulnerable children from the harms associated with second-hand smoke when travelling in private vehicles.
“Today’s vote in favour of the ban marks a major step forward for public health in Wales.”
This brain wrestling decision has to be worth a £10,000 a year, £200 a week, pay rise.
This is an example of the very difficult considerations which the Pay Board Chairman, Mr Blair, stated, needed people of expanded interlect, people from the professional classes, and, with the mental capacity to decide such mind numbing judgements to make, and, who could therefore attract wage increases of enormous proportions, an additional £200 per week,
This brain wrestling decision has to be worth a £10,000 a year, £200 a week, pay rise.
This is an example of the very difficult considerations which the Pay Board Chairman, Mr Blair, stated, needed people of expanded interlect, people from the professional classes, and, with the mental capacity to decide such mind numbing judgements to make, and, who could therefore attract wage increases of enormous proportions, an additional £200 per week. I see what he means now, got it!.
I know that it appears that AMs don’t get out much but surely they have heard that using a moboile phone whilst driving is illegal? Despite this a day rarely goes by when I don’t see someone using a mobile.
This law is unenforcable and ridiculous, I have sympathy for the police who will be expected to ‘get results’ in the shape of prosecutions, not easy and an unecessary addition to their workload when numbers of officers are being cut.
I know that it appears that AMs don’t get out much but surely they have heard that using a moboile phone whilst driving is illegal? Despite this a day rarely goes by when I don’t see someone using a mobile.
This new law is unenforcable and ridiculous, I have sympathy for the police who will be expected to ‘get results’ in the shape of prosecutions, not easy and an unecessary addition to their workload when numbers of officers are being cut.