Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 17 Nov 2011 - 0:00 PST
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After a review of compelling scientific evidence that supports a ban on smoking in motor vehicles, the BMA calls upon UK governments to introduce an extension to the current smoke-free legislation to include a ban on smoking in private vehicles. The review is published today in the BMA's new briefing paper.
An investigation conducted by the BMA reveals that there is substantial evidence that smoking in vehicles exposes individuals who don't smoke to extremely high levels of second-hand smoke. Due to internal environment in vehicles being restrictive, passengers are exposed to 23 times more toxins than a smokey bar. Vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly, are especially at risk from these health dangers.
As children absorb more pollutants, they are at particular risk. Compared to adults, a child's immune system is significantly under developed and does not have the necessary defenses to deal with the harms second-hand smoke causes.
Second-hand smoke is particularly dangerous for elderly individuals who are prone to respiratory problems.
Vulnerable groups, including infants and young children, don't have the same options available to them as adults and may not be able to refuse to take a journey in a smoky vehicle.
Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Director of Professional Activities, explained today:
"Every year in England there are over 80,000 deaths that are caused by smoking. This figure increases to a shocking six million worldwide.But behind the stark statistics, doctors see the individual cases of ill-health and premature death caused by smoking and second-hand smoke. For this reason, doctors are committed to reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
The UK made a huge step forward in the fight against tobacco by banning smoking in all enclosed public places but more can still be done.
We are calling on UK governments to take the bold and courageous step of banning smoking in private vehicles. The evidence for extending the smoke-free legislation is compelling. The current UK Government prefers voluntary measures or "nudging" to bring about public health change but this stance has been shown to fail time and time again."
The launch of the briefing paper coincides with the second reading of Alex Cunningham's Private Members' Bill calling for a ban on smoking in private vehicles when children at present. This issue is due to be debated on November 25.
Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
MLA
8 Dec. 2011.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
posted by patricia nicoll on 17 Nov 2011 at 1:26 am
I'm a smoker but i do believe we shouldn't smoke in a car with children and the elderly I don't smoke in mine cause i don't want my children to breathe it in
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posted by tightus-fisticus on 17 Nov 2011 at 1:38 am
How long before they start telling people they can't smoke in their own homes. I allow smoking in my car but if one person is known to be a non smoker or there is a child present then nobody smokes.
What would be the case if all the occupants of the car were smokers and were all happy for each other to smoke, are the Police going to stop them to check? I can think of better things the Police could be doing to be honest. Over legislating breeds contempt, lack of legislation breeds conscience.
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posted by doubledragon on 17 Nov 2011 at 2:22 am
I smoke in my car but only with my windows open as I dont want my clothes or car to smell of stale smoke, And if someone is traveling with me and I know they dont smoke I will ask if they mind.
Its a bit much trying to ban smoking in cars.
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posted by Nick Salt on 17 Nov 2011 at 2:52 am
If these levels of respiratory toxins are of serious concern, then shouldn't we be looking at vehicle fumes as they affect anyone who lives on or walks down busy streets, and in some places the effects of vehicle pollution are far more damaging than even 1st hand smoking 20 cigarettes a day:
Top 10 polluted places - Traffic fumes converted to cigarette equivalents per day
1 Oxford: 61.4
2 Bath: 46.8
3 Glasgow (kerbside): 44.7
4 London, Marylebone Road: 30
5 London, King's Road: 29.6
6 Exeter: 27.7
7 London, Hammersmith Broadway: 27.3
8 Bristol, city centre: 27.1
9 Sheffield, Tinsley: 27.1
10 London, Brent: 26.7
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posted by RudiKelle on 17 Nov 2011 at 2:54 am
Fags kill 6 mill out of 7 bill. Booze kills how many? Pill-popping kills how many? Bad eating kills how many? Car accidents kill how many? Mis-diagnosis kills how many? War kills how many? Life is terminal? Hanging about at 90 is no fun either? Don't worry - be happy.
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