At least three million children are believed to be exposed to risky fumes in their family auto and the law, in part, aims to lower this incredibly large number.
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In defence of the ban, shadow policing minister Jack Dromey put the police’s approach down to saving money following cuts to their budgets.
‘Police officers should be spending more time being what they are: police officers’.
Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation, told BBC Radio 4’s programme that it would be “extremely challenging” to enforce the ban. It is illegal to smoke in a auto with children present if the vehicle is moving or stationary.
Certain studies revealed that second hand smoking brings nearly 9,500 children into hospital and causes nearly 40 deaths per year. Smokers of e-cigarettes are also exempt from the ban.
What are the penalties for breaking the law?
Both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50.
But it turns out those £50 fines won’t be dished out as regularly as expected, leaving critics unsure as to whether the message will get through to drivers.
“As the existing smoke free law extends to vehicles, police forces will be taking an educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach when enforcing the new legislation”, said a spokeswoman.
“Whilst the penalty for the offence is fixed, officers will use professional judgment and discretion to advise and educate where it is justifiable to do so.
Creating this extra deterrent by changing the law will help reinforce that viewpoint and further change people’s perceptions”. It can also make asthma worse.
The county’s public health experts stress that children are particularly vulnerable to secondhand smoke because they have smaller lungs, faster breathing and less developed immune systems, making them more susceptible to respiratory and ear infections triggered by smoking.
Cabinet member for public health, localism and libraries Teresa Heritage said: “More than 80 per cent of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless”.
What counts as a vehicle?
The law applies to any private vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof.
The law won’t apply to a convertible auto with the roof completely down.
Sitting in the open doorway of an enclosed vehicle is covered by the legislation.
The rules apply to motorhomes, campervans and caravans when they are being used as a vehicle but not when they are being used as living accommodation.
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From today it is illegal to smoke in a auto or other vehicle with anyone under 18 present.
