Smoking in cars should be outlawed to protect children, says BMA (British Med. Assoc.)

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Smoking should be banned in cars to protect drivers and passengers – especially children – from breathing in toxins far worse than those found in smoky bars, the nation's doctors have demanded.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is urging ministers across the UK to extend the ban on smoking in public places introduced in 2007 to all vehicles in a further effort to protect people's health.

Children are at particular risk from secondhand smoke in cars because they take in more of the chemicals from cigarettes than adults and may not be able to refuse to travel in a smoky car.

The BMA called for a ban after reviewing previously published research studies into cars and smoking.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/16/smoking-cars-ban-bma

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California and some other US states already have laws against smoking in cars that have children passengers. And before any smoking DUers (or paid tobacco industry shills or libertarian trolls) start whining "what about MY rights?" do realize that secondhand smoke DOES harm others' health.

[Lucinda]

1. Works for me.

We know the hazards. If ya gotta smoke - don't subject others to it in confined places.

[demosincebirth]

6. they don't have to be confined places. 200 feet if posible.

[msongs]

2. maybe smokers should have to wear an enclosing helmet which filters their air lol nt

[Serve The Servants]

3. Unrec for last sentence n/t

[Politicalboi]

4. They are talking about ALL vehicles

So no kids doesn't matter. That IS fucked.

British Medical Association urges ministers to extend ban on smoking in public places introduced in 2007 to all vehicles

[Tunkamerica]

5. yep. not really about the kids just like the internet bills aren't about child porn.

[Politicalboi]

8. Yup more control

I can understand driving with children, but if they aren't in the car, it should matter. I can see a $1,000 dollar fine for littering with butts, but not being able to smoke in your own car all by yourself that is insane.

[dipsydoodle]

13. If you mean here in the UK

that issue was actually about advertising on children's programs - not porn.

[Tunkamerica]

15. i don't mean that

[rpannier]

7. See #5

I oppose this as well

But thanks Lewellyn

[bhikkhu]

9. You don't have to be a shill or a troll to have a differing opinion

- though I think a ban on smoking in cars is a good idea. Kids have no choice about the air they breath or the health issues they wind up with, and far too many adults seem completely oblivious.

[Occulus]

30. Some of us don't and won't have kids, in the car or otherwise.

[davidthegnome]

10. ...

If the law was an attempt to outlaw smoking only when children were present in the vehicle, I would gladly support it. It isn't. I think an individual adult, or a couple of adults, should be able to smoke in their own vehicles if they please.

While I am indeed an occasional smoker, I suspect that many people who don't smoke would agree.

Now that being said - I certainly am aware that secondhand smoke can be harmful to the health of others. This is why I do so outside - or when I'm driving by myself, or with someone else who smokes.

Banning smoking in cars altogether? I think it would set a dangerous precedent. What else then, will you no longer be permitted to do with, in, or on your own property?

[quakerboy]

11. Interesting

I do think that smoking in confined spaces with kids is a form of child abuse.

But if you are in your own car, by yourself, that is different.

Then again, how do you prove that that snuffed butt and the strong smell of smoke was from last night coming home from work by yourself, and not 3 minutes ago with the kid in his carseat in the back on the way to the park?

And how about the e-cigarettes? How about clove cigarettes?

So, I think its a good concept. But I am sure that the implementation could run into hitches.

[REP]

14. I don't have kids and I drive a 2-seater - why would I ever have a child in my car? And how?

Other adults are barely allowed in my car - I'm hardly going to allow a messy child in it! Would I need a note from my doctor to prove I'm a nullapara?

[boppers]

12. LOL, they're in a CAR.

You do realize that secondhand driving fumes DOES affect the health of others?

[Tunkamerica]

16. shut up. this is about the facts according to non-smokers

[boppers]

17. Subsets of groups don't get to have facts. eom

[dmallind]

31. Unless you are driving a Flintstonemobile fumes are outside the car.

And just about every car sold in the last 20 years filters incoming air.

[HockeyMom]

18. Why stop with cars?

Ban it in private homes too? Then, there is the all new THIRD HAND SMOKE from the clothing and breath. Nobody should be around kids who can get cancer from smelling others CLOTHING? You do know they are saying this now? Maybe people will need to be decontaminated after smoking? Have you heard about them talking now about Third Hand Smoking? I guess since the Second Hand Smoking isn't doing the job, they had to come up with more.

Put all the smokers in a good old fashioned Leper Colony?

[SirRevolutionary]

19. I say we ban lungs

They always seem to be suspiciously involved one way or another whenever someone brings up the subject of second-hand smoke. Yes. Ban lungs and we can grow genetically modified gills and live under water. Presto, no more air pollution issues.

[Throd]

23. Having lungs is the leading cause of lung cancer.

[RobinA]

28. Don't Blame Lungs

They are just sitting there innocently in the body. It's the air people put into them that causes cancer. Ban air, I say. That sh*t is deadly, carrying all kinds of evil stuff into the lungs, which then disperse it throughout the body. You can get liver cancer from fumes, ya know. Fumes that came into the body in AIR. Even if you don't get cancer from air, we get all kinds of bacteria, viruses, fungi that make people sick and even die. Air...gives me the creeps just thinking about it.

[raccoon]

20. ITA. nt

[Nye Bevan]

21. Good. I hate how smoking drivers throw their cigarette butts out of the window.

Disgusting creatures, creating litter and the risk of wildfires, as well as endangering cyclists and motorcyclists.

[Throd]

22. Isn't that already illegal?

[davidthegnome]

25. Yes

But the disgusting creatures must be purged! Filthy smokers. Damned degenerates. Stinking heretics. Bloody rebels.... creepy little lepers... huh.

Would you let your kids eat a happy meal in your car? Would you let them talk to people who smell like cigarettes? Never socialize with such creatures and keep your children at a safe distance. Remember, it only takes smelling smoke once to kill you.

Some people take the anti smoking thing a bit too far, I think. No no, not to worry, I'll go back to the quarantined zone now.

[totodeinhere]

27. I will say it. Smoking IS a filthy habit. The smell of stale cigarette smoke on clothes is noxious.

If I walk into a room where people have been smoking it literally makes me sick to my stomach. I realize that some people are addicted to it and can't stop, but that doesn't make smoking any better.

[RobinA]

29. Children Can get Cancer

from being around people who smoke? If I wear a sign around my neck declaring that I smoke will people keep their children clear of me? Sounds like a plan. And my death rays will be particularly potent to anybody in one of those gigundo SUV strollers. So stand back, parents.

[The Straight Story]

24. Sit in a garage for two hours while your car runs, I will sit in mine two hours and smoke

let's see which is worse for you.

[dmallind]

32. Let's see which is most relevant to the real world, where cars run outside and smokers puff inside.

[sarcasmo]

26. First they come after the smokers then they come after the fatties.

[dmallind]

33. 55k second hand obesity deaths every year?