ANTI-SMOKING GROUP Ash Ireland has reiterated its call for a ban on smoking in cars transporting children under 16 years of age. Its call for the ban yesterday came on the eve of Ash Wednesday, traditionally a day chosen by smokers to quit.
The Department of Health said, however, that there were currently no proposals to introduce a ban on smoking in cars where there were children present, but it said the matter would be kept under review.
It added that it accepted exposure to cigarette smoke was particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces, such as cars, and it was reviewing the measures that have been undertaken in other countries in this regard.
Dr Angie Brown, chairwoman of Ash Ireland, said our legislators must move to protect the 14 per cent of Irish children who were exposed to carcinogens and other toxic substances from passive smoking in cars. “As we discovered with use of seat belts and use of mobile phones in cars, the voluntary code is insufficient.”
She added that a recent survey found 79 per cent of the public would support smoke-free car laws.
Meanwhile, the Irish Cancer Society is demanding a uniform, consistent and well-funded approach to stop-smoking services nationwide. Evidence from other countries, it says, shows that when state expenditure on stop-smoking services increases, there is a reduction in the numbers of people smoking.
“For example, between 2002 and 2008 the UK increased expenditure on stop-smoking services by €36 million to a total of €61 million, and as a result the percentage of the population smoking decreased from 27 per cent to 24 per cent.
“During the same period of time in Ireland the percentage of the population smoking increased from 27 to 29 per cent, despite the introduction of the ban on smoking in the workplace.”