Labour Pushes For Kids-In-Car Smoking Ban

IN A MOVE that could see drivers responsible for ensuring all passengers stub out their cigarettes when in the presence of children, smoking in cars carrying children could become illegal if a vote in the House of Lords is passed.

As part of an amendment to the Children and Families Bill, Labour wants to see a specific offence created to discourage people from smoking around children.

Crucially, the amendment would make it an offence for drivers of private vehicles to fail to prevent smoking when a child is present.

Talking to Sky News, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said Britain should follow the example set by countries like Australia, Canada and a number of American states.

He told the news channel: "When it comes to improving the health of children, we are duty bound to consider any measure that might make a difference.

"Adults are free to make their own choices but that often does not apply to children and that's why society has an obligation to protect them from preventable harm.

"Evidence from other countries shows that stopping smoking in the confined space of a car carrying children can prevent damage to their health and has strong public support."

By Press Association reporters