PLANS to prohibit smoking in a car in the presence of children have been welcomed by ASH Wales. The Welsh Government will consult on the plans which have received widespread support with four out of five Welsh adults (79 per cent) now backing the legislation, according to a YouGov survey in 2014.

Elen de Lacy, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales, commented on the news, saying:

“Today we are a step closer to ending smoking in cars with children present and we welcome the decision by the Welsh Government to release a consultation on the issue.

“Concentrations of smoke inside a car can reach dangerous levels very quickly and exposure to second-hand smoke is a substantial threat to children's health. Laws stopping smoking in cars with children are popular with the public and we urge the government to bring them into force without further delay.”

The Welsh Conservatives see this new legislation as a priority for children’s health, which if introduced will see a £50 fine for anyone caught smoking in a car while children are present.

Darren Millar AM, shadow minister for health said:

“Second-hand cigarette smoke is one of the biggest health risks facing Wales today.

“While many adults can make an educated decision to avoid passive smoking, young children in confined spaces such as cars, have no such ability.

“I do not think this ban is a silver bullet in protecting children from passive smoking, but it is a step forward in the long-term campaign of educating people about the dangers of cigarette smoke.”