Car smoking ban backed by MSPs

A proposed law to ban smoking in cars when travelling with someone under 18 has been endorsed by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee.

The member’s bill put forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume would see motorists fined £100 for lighting up. It has already been backed by health charities and the Scottish Government.

Committee convener Duncan McNeil said: "From our work into this issue it became clear that there is strong public support for this legislation.

"Our committee believes that no child should have to experience the effects of second-hand smoke in cars and that this legislation will tackle significantly this harmful behaviour.

"Whilst the person smoking should be held criminally responsible, we have also proposed that a similar sanction should be in place for the driver.”

Ahead of the committee meeting Hume said: "60,000 children each week are exposed to second-hand smoke in vehicles.

"It doesn't seem fair that a child should be cooped up in a smoke-filled car during the school run. Those children cannot change their means of transport, let alone take steps to immediately remove themselves from the uncomfortable confines of a smoke filled car.”