GENERAL MEDICINE
Ban on smoking in cars with kids present
December 18, 2015
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A ban on smoking in cars where children are present will come into effect on January 1, 2016, it has been confirmed.
From that date, it will be an offence to smoke in any type of vehicle where a person under the age of 18 is present, or to allow someone else to smoke in the vehicle.
The offence will be enforced by the Gardai. If a driver is observed by a Garda to be in breach of the law, they may stop the vehicle and issue a fixed charge notice for €100. If this fine is not paid within the next 28 days, it will increase.
If it has not been paid after 56 days, a prosecution will be initiated. Furthermore, if a person fails to stop their vehicle, fails to give an address or gives an incorrect address, the fine upon prosecution can be up to €1,000.
Announcing the new law with the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Children, Dr James Reilly, noted that the Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2014 found that nearly one in five children between the ages of 10 and 17 is exposed to smoke in cars.
"Even if windows of the car are open, the young person is not protected from the harmful effect of secondhand smoke. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I welcome the signing of these regulations by Minister Varadkar. It is a central part of the Tobacco Free Ireland policy that we de-normalise smoking for young people," Minister Reilly commented.
He insisted that ‘we all have a duty of care to our children and the prevention of damage to their lungs is a responsibility for us all'.
Meanwhile, Minister Varadkar highlighted the fact that children are more susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke and cannot always avoid exposure.
"Second hand smoke is particularly harmful to children in enclosed spaces, such as cars. This measure can only improve the health of many children and I know it will be supported by the public," he said.
For more information on the new law, click here