ASH Ireland brief Politicians on banning 'Smoking in Cars Transporting Children Under 16'

Date: 24 February 2009

ASH Ireland briefs politicians on banning –
'Smoking in Cars Transporting Children Under 16'.

ASH Ireland held a briefing for all members of the Oireachtas in Dublin today (Buswells Hotel at 12:30pm) on the issue of having smoking banned in cars transporting children under 16 years.

Dr. Angie Brown, Chairperson, ASH Ireland and Duncan Stewart, Environmentalist and T.V presenter conducted the briefing.

ASH Ireland is keen to have this health initiative implemented, as there is an abundance of evidence to show that passive smoke is particularly harmful to children and further evidence to show that passive smoke can reach very high levels in motor vehicles. Children have a much higher respiratory rate and metabolism than adults and this increases the risk.

Dr Angie Brown, Chairperson ASH Ireland, speaking at the briefing said, "Many countries and regions have introduced such a ban to protect children. The ban is in place in several Australian regions, in parts of Canada and the United States, in Cyprus, and is under consideration in the Netherlands, South Africa and elsewhere. There is irrefutable evidence to show that a car can be significantly more toxic than a home environment in the context of passive smoke (Colorado research).

Duncan Stewart, Environmentalist and T.V presenter said, "I fully support this campaign not just because of my involvement with ASH Ireland but because by not introducing such a ban we are putting some of our children at risk. I certainly urge parents not to smoke when transporting their children in a car. However, the government can make this easier for all of us by just banning the practice of smoking in cars transporting children – and people will comply with this".

Dr Angie Brown went on to say; "Children are unlikely to ask adults not to smoke when they are being transported – so we must take this important health initiative out of their hands by introducing legislation to address this issue ".

Combined with the fact that children have much higher respiratory rates and metabolism than adults makes exposure to passive smoke in vehicles a serious problem for children. ASH Ireland is strongly of the view that if we protect adults by banning smoking in the workplace we must protect children by banning smoking in cars, which they need and use for transport.

It should also be noted that the state of Colorado, in banning smoking in cars carrying children, based its decision on evidence, which showed that a car can be significantly more toxic than a house in the context of passive smoke.

Dr Angie Brown went on to say, " There is significant evidence to show that children exposed to passive smoke are much more likely to develop asthma and lung infections. The Royal College of Physicians in London published evidence in 2005 which added to the substantial body of evidence which shows that passive smoke is harmful for children - especially in the early years of development".

ASH Ireland holds the view that this proposed ban, which is solely designed to protect children should be introduced and can be introduced in the coming months – and in doing so the Government would again be following international best practice on tobacco/health related issues.

Dr Brown added, "We urge adults who transport children in cars not to smoke while there are children in the car. Children are unlikely to ask adults to stop smoking – so we must take this important decision out of their hands"

Tomorrow, 25th February is Ash Wednesday.

ENDS

Further information contact:
Wally Young, Young Communications, 01 6680530, 087 247 1520
ASH Ireland, 01-2310521

N.B. Anyone who would like advice or information on quitting smoking can contact the National Smokers' Quitline on 1850 201 203.

Note to Editors.


1. Smoking Ban legislation prohibiting smoking in the Irish workplace was introduced on 29th March 2004. This measure has been an unprecedented success.

2. In a recent demonstration in Stanford University it was established that within a minute of a volunteer lighting a cigarette in a car, sensors detected airborne toxins 30 times higher than the level at which the EPA (US) would advise people to stay indoors in Los Angeles.

3. In the context of a recent debate on this issue in the U.S, Dr Elizabeth Secord of Michigan, a Specialist on Asthma said, "It's well established that children raised in smoking households have increased risks of developing asthma, ear and lung infections and colds."

4. A 14 year study on the effects of smoking on children published by the Medical Journal of Australia (Professor Pete Sly and colleagues at University of Western Australia) can be viewed at www.mja.com.au


The Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation fund ASH Ireland