Smoking ban in cars with children: state intrusion or essential protection?

The controversial move to ban smoking in cars carrying children has won the backing of the health secretary. Jeremy Hunt says there is a compelling case for a ban on smoking when youngsters are in the vehicle – and the House of Lords has backed the Labour plan, despite opposition from the government. VoR's Brendan Cole leads a discussion.

Labour peers have tabled an amendment to the children and families’ bill detailing their proposal – which they say is about protecting children. Ministers have argued that the law is a blunt instrument and public information campaigns are preferable.

Nick Clegg says he does not support the ban saying he does not want to subcontract parenthood. Is the state going too far – most parents are unlikely to smoke in such an enclosed space, so is legislation necessary? And what does this mean for the state’s involvement in public and private space.

Brendan Cole is joined by: 

Dr Alan Stanton, Consultant Paediatrician of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Rod Liddle, journalist and broadcaster

Amanda Sandford, Research Manager at Action on Smoking Health (ASH)

Ian Dunt, editor of politics.co.uk

Soundbites:

Dr Alan Stanton: 

"Cigarette smoking is detrimental to children’s health to a major degree – in this country there are 9,500 extra hospital admissions because children are exposed to smoke and 200 extra cases of bacterial meningitis…. We haven’t won the battle –the ban in cars is useful support for parents."

Rod Liddle:

"There’s been an unpleasant professionalization of parenting, where it’s handed over to so-called experts and this is just the tip of the iceberg… I don’t know anyone who smokes in a car with kids so it seems to me utterly superfluous and insulting… This isn’t support for parents - this is parents being considered not adequate."

Amanda Sandford:

"It is justified to have restrictions on liberties when health is at stake. Children have no choice in whether they get into the car. Our mission is to reduce the harm caused by tobacco - it’s part of our mission to de-normalize smoking."

Ian Dunt:

"This is quite the coup. This is the state invading your private property and telling you what you can and cannot do. The next step will be banning smoking in houses… it’s a gross intrusion and it’s all a precursor to the final act of banning cigarettes altogether."
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