Dáil passes bill to ban smoking in cars with children

The Irish Cancer Society today welcome the passing of legislation that will ban smoking in cars where children are present. The Bill passed unanimously in the Dáil last night and the relevant authorities, including the Gardaí, will now work to introduce formal regulations.

“This is pure common sense,” says Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy & Communications. “Tobacco smoke contains over 5000 chemicals. Secondhand smoke is classed as a Group A carcinogen, meaning that parents who insist on smoking with children in the back seat are exposing them to short and long-term health problems.

“Babies and children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), upper respiratory and lung infections, ear infections, and more severe and frequent asthma attacks. It has even been shown that children are much more likely to be put into intensive care when they have the flu if they have been inhaling secondhand smoke.”

The new law will allow Gardaí to issue on-the-spot fines to those caught smoking in cars with children.

The Irish Cancer Society want to see a public awareness campaign when the regulations are introduced.

“In speaking about this initiative, the Minister has said it will ‘self-policed’,” says Ms O’Meara. “To ensure that this cultural-change happens, the public need to be informed. We are used to seeing road safety campaigns that have been immensely successful in reducing the number of deaths on our road. It is only right that the same should be done for smoking in cars.”