New smoking ban a ‘waste of time’

Dublin People 23 Dec 2015
New smoking ban a ‘waste of time’

A NEW ban on smoking in cars where children are present that came into force on New Year’s Day has been described as a waste of time.

The regulation was signed into law before Christmas under the Protection of Children’s Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014.

From January 1 it is an offence for anyone to smoke a tobacco product in a vehicle where a child is present, or to allow someone else to smoke in the vehicle.

The offence will be enforced by the gardaí and carries a fixed penalty of €100 with the option of tougher penalties of up to €1,000 for failing to stop or for providing inaccurate details.

At the announcement, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, and Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, were joined by 11-year-old Fionn O’Callaghan who contacted the Government to express his own concerns about the dangers of tobacco smoke in cars.

Minister Reilly said: “Recent research shows that many children are effectively trapped in cars and exposed to toxic and health damaging smoke.

“We all have a duty of care to our children and the prevention of damage to their lungs is a responsibility for us all.”

Minister Varadkar added: “I am delighted to be in a position to sign this measure into law. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Survey indicates that almost one in every five children is exposed to second hand smoke in cars. This measure can only improve the health of many children and I know it will be supported by the public.”

However, banning smoking in cars with children is a “waste of time” and “unenforceable”, one group has claimed.

John Mallon, spokesman for the smokers’ group Forest Eireann, said most smokers know smoking in a car with children is inconsiderate.

“That’s why the overwhelming majority don’t do it,” he said. “The new law is a waste of time and unenforceable. It will make no difference to public health but it represents a worrying intrusion by Government into people’s private space.

“Gardaí surely have better things to do than stop drivers on suspicion they may be smoking with a child on board.

“This is gesture politics designed to stigmatise a substantial minority of the population who know how to behave without the threat of stiff fines and other penalties.”

Deputy Catherine Byrne (FG), a member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, welcomed the new legislation.

“It’s simply unforgiveable that people would smoke in their cars while children were present,” she said. “In such an enclosed space, children are subject to high levels of second hand smoke and all the associated health risks that come with it. Children are actually more susceptible to second hand smoke than adults are.

“I’m sure some people genuinely thought that by opening the car windows, their children would not have felt the effects of the smoke. However, this is not actually the case. The new laws will ensure that children travelling in cars are fully protected by removing any right to smoke in their presence.”

Related News