Smoking in your car should be against the law, doctors have told the UK Government Wednesday. The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling on ministers to bring in the "bold and courageous" ban for reasons of health rather than road safety.
Evidence suggests smoking in a closed vehicle exposes the occupants to large amounts of harmful chemicals, the doctors reported.
Toxin levels can be 23 times higher than in a typical smoky bar, it is claimed, with children and the elderly said to be at particular risk.
Children absorb more pollutants than adults and their immature immune systems are less able to cope with the effects of second-hand smoke, according to the BMA.
The elderly are prone to respiratory problems that can be made worse by inhaling cigarette smoke, the doctors warned.
Such vulnerable groups may be unable to refuse journeys in smoky vehicles, the BMA points out.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's director of professional activities, said: "Every year in England there are over 80,000 deaths that are caused by smoking.
This figure increases to a shocking six million worldwide.
"But behind the stark statistics, doctors see the individual cases of ill-health and premature death caused by smoking and second-hand smoke.
For this reason, doctors are committed to reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
"The UK made a huge step forward in the fight against tobacco by banning smoking in all enclosed public places but more can still be done.
"We are calling on UK governments to take the bold and courageous step of banning smoking in private vehicles.
"The evidence for extending the smoke-free legislation is compelling. The current UK Government prefers voluntary measures or 'nudging' to bring about public health change, but this stance has been shown to fail time and time again." The BMA spelled out its message in a briefing paper launched to coincide with the second reading of a Private Members' bill at the House of Commons calling for a smoking ban in private vehicles when children are present.
The Bill, introduced by Labour MP Alex Cunningham, is due to be debated on November 25.
Smokers' pro-choice lobby group Forest strongly opposed the move.
Director Simon Clark said: "There is no justification for a ban on smoking in cars, with or without children present.
The evidence that it is harmful to other passengers is weak, to say the least. "We don't condone smoking in cars with children. It's inconsiderate, certainly, but only a small minority of people do so these days".
Meanwhile, Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons recently, David Cameron - an ex-smoker - said he supported the current smoking ban in public places.
But he added "I am much more nervous about going into what people do inside a vehicle."
Source: BNA