Ban On Smoking In Cars In Wales

15 July 2014, 10:21 | Updated: 15 July 2014, 16:23

People in Wales will be banned from smoking in cars when children are present.

The Welsh Government says a public consultation is due to start with First Minister Carwyn Jones and Health Minister Mark Drakeford urging people to have their say.

The ban aims to protect children from passive smoking.

Carwyn Jones said: "In 2012, we launched the Fresh Start Wales campaign to promote smoke-free cars carrying children and raise awareness to parents and others the risk their smoking poses to the health of children.

"We made clear throughout that campaign we would consider the possibility of legislation when evidence of prevalence of smoking in cars carrying children in Wales is available in the summer of 2014.
 
"While I welcome the fact the number of children being exposed to smoking in cars has declined, a sizeable minority of young people are still being exposed and adults continue to smoke in their cars when children are present.
 
"There is also evidence from the primary school survey that inequalities in children’s exposure to second hand smoke remains, so we will press ahead with plans to ban people smoking in cars carrying children."

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said a ban will be important to protect children's rights: "Your freedom to smoke has an impact on the freedom of others to be free of that smoke.

"Children aren't in a position to defend their own rights which is why governments have to take action to make sure their interests are properly defended."

We're going to be able to tell the Welsh Government what we think about a ban before it goes any further.