Time to stub out smoking in cars?

Doctors are calling for smoking to be stubbed out in all vehicles ‘to protect children’. It is already illegal to light up in work vehicles, but the anti-smoking lobby now wants a blanket ban to prevent the passive smoking that allegedly causes 22,000 new cases of asthma and wheezing in children every year.

Rochdale Online Reporter Laura Wild asked shoppers in Rochdale what they think about the idea.

Cheryl Whadsworth thinks it is a good idea, she said: “Smoking around children is a bad idea altogether. In a car it can also distract you, just like having a drink or using a mobile phone.”

Patricia Hameleton is a smoker but has never smoked in the car, she said: “I think I have always been what I would call a clean smoker, I don’t smoke in the house or around food and I have never smoked in the car.

“Because I have never done it, it won’t affect me. However, I do think that people should be given a choice in their car with their children whether or not they can smoke.”

Another smoker who didn’t want to be named thinks smoking in the car depends on how stressed the driver is. “If you’re stressed out when you’re driving maybe you need a cigarette.

“I don’t smoke around my son. But I am not the driver my husband is, she said.”

The shopper added: “I think the government are just trying to control everything.”

Smoker Karen Stewart said: “I don’t agree with smoking around the children anyway, especially not in the car because it is so enclosed.

“Aside from the health issues smoking in the car could be really distracting and cause an accident.”

Mr Alderson doesn’t think the ban would be effective, he said: “My wife has smoked all her life and I don’t agree with it but I can’t get her to stop.

“I don’t think the government ban will be taken notice of, just like people still use their mobile phones even though they can get points and fines.”

He added: “I don’t think people should smoke in cars, so yes it is a good idea, but they will have a hell of a job putting it into place.”

Mrs Smith used to smoke almost 60 cigarettes a day; she thinks smoking in cars should be banned.

“I never speak to people about smoking because as a quitter they think I am so righteous, but I think smoking in the car isn’t good for the children or for concentration.”

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