Shropshire backs call to end smoking in cars

Smoking was banned in workplaces and many enclosed public places in 2007.

But now Labour wants to see a specific offence created to discourage people from smoking around children, a move that was backed by the House of Lords last night.

The amendment voted through by peers would make it an offence for drivers of private vehicles to fail to prevent smoking when a child is present.

But Telford Labour MP David Wright said there were better ways of targeting resources.

"I think that it would be incredibly difficult to police," he said.

"I think our priority should be spending resources on educating people not to smoke around children."

And Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said he felt the same way.

"I would actually agree with Mr Wright," he said.

"So much more needs to be done on education young children on the dangers of smoking.

"I would be happier if parliament was focusing on what can be done to educate children on how not to start smoking and the dangers of smoking."

In Shropshire, around a third of school pupils say they live in a household with someone who is a smoker.

It is estimated that there are almost 45,000 smokers in Shropshire aged 18 years or over.

In Telford & Wrekin, more than 23 per cent of adults over 18 years – around 32,000 people – were estimated to be smokers in 2010/11.

That is significantly higher than the 20 per cent of people in England who smoke.

In the borough there are an estimated 259 deaths due to smoking-related diseases every year.

The financial impact of smoking in Telford is estimated to be £49.9 million, taking into account the cost of smoking breaks, NHS care, sick days caused by smoking, the effects of passive smoking, domestic fires and litter caused by smoking.

Dr Kevin Lewis, Director of Preventive Health Programmes at Shropshire Council, said: "The evidence is that because cars are such a small, contained space, in tests the harmful chemicals from cigarette smoke reach very high levels.

"Even if the windows are opened or there are attempts to ventilate the car, there are still high levels of chemicals. Children can't easily remove themselves from the exposure like an adult could, and are at a far higher risk from the effects physiologically."

Telford & Wrekin Councillor Derek White, who is chairman of the joint health overview and scrutiny committee, said he supported Labour's idea.

"I believe it is the right step, as is anything that saves lives."

However Mr White added: "I think it will be absolutely impossible to police because so many people are doing it. This needs to be done by encouragement, not legislation, legislation should be the last act."

Pro-smoking groups have argued that a ban is disproportionate, saying most adult smokers choose not to smoke when they are in a car with children and fear the prohibition will eventually be extended into people's homes.

The issue was being debated in the House of Lords yesterday.

One couple who have noticed the difference after the smoking ban are Alan and Sarah Roberts, from Oswestry, who have just come back from holiday in a country where smoking is still permitted in public places.

Mrs Roberts said: "We've just come back from Mexico and it's got smoking at the bar and after being there you appreciate what they're doing on smoking here."

National health bosses have also called for a change to be made to the legislation.

Kevin Fenton, Public Health England's director for health and wellbeing said: "A car is a small space in which passive inhalation of smoke will tend to be high – this is particularly an issue for children and babies, who suffer greater damage than adults from secondhand smoke."

Services to help people stop smoking are available through the Help 2 Quit service. Visit www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/Help2quit

Meanwhile, a number of Shropshire Star readers have had their say on the matter.

Mum-of-one Samantha Thomas, 28, from Pant, said: "I don't think people should drive and smoke because they're not concentrating. It's just disgusting. They certainly shouldn't do it in front of children in or out of the car."

Her husband Anthony, 40, said: "You shouldn't subject your kids to smoking, so I don't agree with it."

Former smoker, Robert Turner, 67, from Bridgnorth, said that banning smoking in cars would have the same safety benefits as banning the use of mobile phones.

"I used to be a smoker but I quit years ago and it was the best thing I've ever done," he added.

"Smoking around children has a bad effect on their health and it should be banned as a safety precaution for the child."

Despite smoking, she too would welcome the ban.

She said: "I am a smoker but not in the car.

"I think it is a good idea, there are all those chemicals floating around. I never smoke anywhere near him.

"There is no need to endanger his life when I'm endangering mine. I'm trying to quit at the moment."

However, Martin Elkes said the decision would be hard to police.

Mr Elkes, 68, retired, of Newport, said: "I think it would be a good idea, but how would it be enforced? They can't stop every car to see if someone is smoking. It would help people set a good example to children and I would be supportive of a law."

Market Drayton Town Councillor Mark Whittle also said it is not up to the Government to tell parents what to do.

He said: "You ban one thing then something else comes up. Your car is your own property and if you want to smoke in it you should be able to.

"You have got to leave some form of personal choice.

"Children will always be exposed to cigarettes.

"The Government cannot tell everyone what to do. It should be the choice of the parent."