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Doctors support smoking ban in cars carrying children
AMA Victoria has put its support behind proposals to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children, prior to the issue being debated by state and territory ministers on Friday.“AMA Victoria is calling on the Victorian Government to follow South Australia and introduce legislation prohibiting smoking in cars carrying children under 16,” AMA Victoria President Dr Mark Yates said today.
“Victoria also needs a strong public education campaign to promote awareness about the risks to young children exposed to the poisons in tobacco smoke in the home and other confined spaces such as vehicles,” he said.
“Doctors are particularly concerned about the number of people continuing to expose young children to the harm of cigarette smoke in confined spaces.
“The effects of passive smoking are harmful, especially to children, and that harm increases when the child is in a confined space, such as a car.
“Victoria now has some of the toughest legislation limiting people’s exposure to the harm of tobacco smoke, but newborn babies and young children, who cannot speak up for themselves, remain exposed to breathing in poisonous cigarette smoke.
“While people are far more aware of the harm caused by smoking, there are still far too many people exposing children to cigarette smoke.
“Children exposed to passive smoking are more likely to have reduced lung function and suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma – children being exposed to passive smoking in a confined space such as a car must be stamped out,” Dr Yates said.
Federal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne has given notice that he will raise the issue with state and territory ministers at the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy on Friday.
End release.
Background:
Under new legislation in South Australia, police will be able to issue on-the-spot-fines ranging from $75 to $200 for those caught smoking in a vehicle with children under the age of 16.
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