The BMA has praised Parliament’s decision to ban smoking in cars carrying children, calling it an ‘important step towards reducing tobacco harm’.
MPs last night voted 376 to 107 in a free vote in favour of a ban, which will form part of the Children and Families Bill.
Department of Health figures from 2011 revealed that there were 300,000 GP visits and 9,500 hospital admissions that year as a result of children inhaling second-hand smoke.
The BMA said: ‘Smoking in private vehicles is a concentrated source of second-hand smoke and the act of smoking can also distract drivers from the road.’
‘We are pleased that MPs have taken an important step towards reducing tobacco harm.’
The Government is also looking to introduce legislation for to make plain tobacco packaging compulsory.
