MPs say car smoke ban 'unenforceable'
Parents should not smoke in cars when their children are present, but it is not a matter for the Government, the region's MPs said today.
Only one – Telford's David Wright – voted in favour of the ban during a vote in the Commons.
Smoking in cars in the presence of children will be outlawed in England by the end of the year, after MPs voted overwhelmingly to make it a criminal offence.
The Commons voted by 376 to 107 – a majority of 269 – to give the Health Secretary the power to impose a ban in England. It also allows the Welsh government to introduce it in Wales.
But MPs here said although they agreed that parents should put their children's health first, the State should not interfere.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said he voted against the ban – and revealed he had been told off by his own daughter for smoking in the car.
He said: "I think that the State is legislating in too many areas. My seven-year-old daughter a few months ago instructed me not to smoke in the car. She said: 'What are you doing? Please don't because it will affect me'.
"I am pleased that we had the debate because it will generate interest among families, but I am also pleased my daughter polices me. It has to be down to educating children at school about the dangers of smoking. For the State to criminalise it is the nanny state gone too far."
Mr Kawczynski said he believed the law would be unenforceable. He said: "If you can't enforce a law you only reduce the value of laws because people are less likely to follow it."
In an unusual move, Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard abstained from the vote. He said: "I very rarely abstain on a vote, but I did so as I don't believe in the Government bossing people around. However, I do think there should be improved protection for children's health."
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies voted against the ban. He said: "I am not in favour of the State taking over family responsibility. There is no difference at all to smoking in a car or smoking in your living room.
"I totally disapprove of smoking wherever there are other people in a confined space, whether it is children or adults, but it is not a matter for the State."
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson is still recovering from eye surgery and Ludlow MP Philip Dunne was unable to take part in the vote because he was away on Parliamentary business.
Telford MP David Wright voted for the ban, but admitted it would be tough to enforce. He said: "I listened to the debate and voted in favour of the ban. I think it will be quite difficult to police, but I think it is about sending a message that smoking around children in particular should be discouraged wherever possible."
