Smoke free driving

[Gob]

Smoke with kids in the car and cough up a fine

Released 20/10/2011

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, was today pleased to see the Legislative Assembly support her bill to ban smoking in cars with children.

"The passage of the Smoking in Cars with Children (Prohibition) Act 2011 is another step forward for public health and shows the Government's resolve to protect children under the age of 16 from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke," the Chief Minister said.

"While it is an adult's right to choose to smoke, vulnerable groups who cannot always speak for themselves have a right to be protected from second hand smoke, particularly when exposure can increase the risk of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and middle-ear infections.

"So if you smoke with kids in the car and you're caught, you will cough up a $250 fine. The Act also provides for a higher fine of up to $5500 if the offence goes to court," said Ms Gallagher.

The Government recently launched a campaign to educate the public about the dangers of smoking in cars when children are present and about this new law. This campaign will run for six months.

"Illnesses associated with tobacco use continue to be Australia's foremost preventable cause of death," Ms Gallagher said.

"Tobacco use is responsible for about 15,000 deaths annually while exposure to tobacco accounts for 7.8 per cent of the burden of disease in Australia.

"The ACT has one of the lowest rates of smoking at 16.3 per cent, however, I would like to see that figure fall further. Initiatives like this one should contribute to reducing the burden of disease and in time, reduce the rate of smoking," Ms Gallagher said.

http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=11043

[Scooter]

Good. Exposing kids to smoke in a confined space is fucked up.

[Sean]

I'm all for it. What kind of dickhead smokes with their kids in the car?

[BoSoxGal]

My mother & father - chain smoked around us, in house & car. I was plagued with upper respiratory infections & ear infections my entire childhood.

I think this law is great. Would like to see one like it in my state (and nation-wide).

[The Hen]

Huzzah, huzzah.

I am pleased this was passed.

Undoubtedly this piece of legislation will be inordinately difficult for the police to actually police. But if they pull over some bogan for one reason or another and they are smoking with kids in the car, they will have yet another offence to throw at them.