Should we ban smoking in cars with children?
Should we ban smoking in cars when children are passengers? A leading paediatrician says from this kind of passive smoking.
Professor Terence Stephenson, who's the new head of the , said children should not have to breathe in their parents' cigarette smoke.
"Why on earth would you light up in your car whilst your children are sitting happily in the back? On the assumption that you wouldn't pass the packet round and invite the kids to light up, why make them breathe tobacco smoke at all?"
Professor Stephenson says second-hand smoke had been linked to chest infections, asthma and ear problems in children. He points out that the Canadian province of New Brunswick, California, South Australia and Cyprus have successfully introduced legislation of the type he's proposing.
But many of you who called me on today's Morning Extra were alarmed that the liberty of smokers is being attacked yet again. So would it be a better idea to educate parents and make them responsible for their own actions rather than legislate? Is the nanny state the right approach?
Tell me what you think by joining the conversation!
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