Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis has made the following statement following the vote in favour of banning smoking in cars which contain children in Parliament yesterday evening.
He said:
“I was pleased to vote last night with so many other MPs of all parties for a smoking ban in cars containing children.
“We have a duty of care to safeguard the health of children who have no choice in these matters.
“It will, of course, be a challenge to ‘police’ such situations but as with smoking in pubs and restaurants and of course seat belts I believe that a cultural change will result and over time adults will accept their responsibilities and do their duty. These earlier changes were seen as impossible to achieve but are now accepted as the norm. This is what we call progress.
“These laws already exist in Canada, South Africa and many parts of the USA and Australia. Furthermore, 80% of the public are in favour, according to some surveys, and this ban is championed by the British Lung Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the British Medical Association and many leading health and child welfare organisations.”
