Health lobby explodes into action
Friday, February 7, 2014 at 0:37 Politics.co.uk sums it up best:
Intervention: Health experts come out all guns blazing for car smoking ban.
Several newspapers have the story. Some even feature a quote from me:
- 700 medics call for car smoking ban (Press Association)
- Hundreds of health experts call for smoking ban in cars carrying children (Daily Telegraph)
- Doctors urge MPs to back smoking in cars ban to 'protect the wellbeing of children' (Daily Mirror)
I'm sure there will be more. I'll update this post in the morning, adding links.
Meanwhile here's the press release Forest put out:
NEWS RELEASE Embargoed 00:01hrs Friday 7 February 2014
Campaigners urge MPs to reject legislation to ban smoking in cars with children
The smokers’ group Forest has urged MPs to reject a ban on smoking in cars with children.
Responding to a letter in the British Medical Journal from over 500 health professionals urging MPs to “support this important public health measure”, Simon Clark, director of Forest, said:
“Smoking in cars with children is inconsiderate but there is a line the state shouldn’t cross when it comes to dictating how people behave in private places.
“Very few adults smoke in a car with children these days. Government should take encouragement from that and focus on education not legislation.
“We urge MPs to reject this unnecessary intrusion into people’s private lives and trust parents to make the right decision for their children without the need for heavy-handed state intervention.”
Update:
Health experts urge MPs to back car smoking ban (BBC News)
The Today programme (Radio 4) is running the story on its news bulletins (with a quote from Forest) but beyond that I haven't seen anything other than reports in the regional press, via the Press Association.
Meanwhile I'm doing BBC Radio Solent at 8.20!
Reader Comments (3)
We've ran the N2D Social Club minibus for just under 2 years. Passengers can smoke in the minibus, as can the driver. The minibus has been stopped twice by the police, once at the behest of Border Force and another re VOSA and HMRC for vehicle and red diesel check. I was the driver on both occassions and not only was l smoking when stopped ... l smoked throughout both incidents (yes, l did it intentionally). Also in regards to the first stop, l had 2 passengers on board who were also smoking. Not ONE question was asked about me smoking in the minibus during either incident.
Furthermore, whilst driving on other occassions, l've stopped at traffic lights etc alongside police vehicles and intentionally lit up a cigarette. They can plainly see l'm smoking but again ... nothing happened.
l've had to come to the conclusion that the police could not care less whether l'm smoking in the minibus or not!
People seem shocked that this no smoking in cars with children regulations have been proposed and are now to be voted on. Why are they shocked? Anyone with half a brain cell knew it was coming ... and after that it will be no smoking in cars whether they have children in them or not. Shall l be shocked at the result of the vote? ... l doubt it.
Either way the braindead vote in the HOC, it makes not a blind bit of difference to me ... l'm already breaking the law in the eyes of the police and have done for almost 2 years. l'll continue to do so.
What will you car drivers do once the full ban on cars comes in?
This car driver has a line and my own private space is it. They will not just ban smoking in cars with children who they exploit for political ends. This is about the first step in criminalising adult tobacco consumers. I've smoked just about all of my life. I will not allow bossy, prejudicial, rich and privileged unelected doctors tell me what to do in my own property.
Prepare for fines, prepare for jail when you don't pay them, but a car ban affecting adults must be disobeyed. There is a line for all of us. Enough's Enough!!
Doctors and politicians wages are paid from taxes. That does not give them the right to dictate to us how we live our lives.