Government supports Bill to ban smoking in cars with children on board

Date: 25th March 2015
Category: Health and health services

The Scottish Government has announced its commitment to protect more children from the effects of second-hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in cars with children on board.

The government has stated support for the Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill, which has been put forward by Jim Hume MSP. Having been introduced in parliament on 15 December 2014, the Bill will be considered by the Health and Sport Committee in due course.

The Bill will bring Scotland in line with England and Wales, where legislation has been introduced to protect young people from second-hand smoke. The equivalent provisions in England and Wales are due to enter into force in October 2015.

Under Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), every child in Scotland has the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health.

• Read the full Scottish Government news article here.
• Read The Guardian article here.
• Read Children in Scotland's response to Jim Hume MSPs consultation on the Bill here.