Scotland prohibits smoking in the car when children are on board

Scotland prohibits smoking in the car when minors are present
In Scotland no smoking is allowed in cars from now on, if minors are on board. The new law aims to protect children from health risks caused by the smoke. In other countries, such regulations have existed for some time, but not yet in Germany.

Tobacco consumption endangers the health of non-smokers
"Smoking inflicts considerable damage on you and the people around you." This is a saying on cigarette packets that points to the dangers of tobacco and passive smoking in Germany. It has long been known that smoking does not only endanger one's own health, but also that of fellow human beings, who also have to inhale the smoke. This is particularly bad when children are affected. In Scotland, there is now a law that protects minors better.

In Scotland, smoking is prohibited in the car if minors are in the vehicle. The ban is intended to protect children from the health hazards of the smoke. (Image: tunedin / fotolia.com)

In the presence of children smoking is prohibited
On Monday, a new law came into force in Scotland prohibiting the smoldering of vehicles with minors on board. If smoking in the car in the presence of children anyway, a fine of 100 pounds (about 119 euros) is due. If violations end up in court, it can even face a fine of up to £ 1,000.

The tightening of the smoking ban was unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament last December. Although the smoker's lobby described it as "patronizing and unnecessary," health organizations endorsed the new law.

Health Minister Aileen Campbell said in a BBC message, "It's just not safe to smoke when a child is in the car. Hazardous chemicals can also be produced on short trips, and 85% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odorless, so they can not always see what they breathe. "

Pioneer United Kingdom
In England and Wales, the legal smoking ban in the car when children are there, since October 2015.

Anyway, in the UK, you're on the way to a smoke-free society a little bit further than in other countries. In 2014, the British Medical Association (BMA) demanded a ban on smoking from one generation onwards. Since July 2007, a comprehensive smoking ban applies at work, in shops and public transport, but also in restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs.

Does the smoking ban in Germany?
Even in countries such as Australia, Greece, Canada or the United States, certain smoking bans for motorists already apply. Other nations such as France, Italy and Poland are working on laws that prohibit or restrict smoking in vehicles.

Whether the smoking ban in the car comes because of children in Germany, is questionable. A press release from the German Medical Association states that lawmakers should follow the example of Great Britain. "It is urgently necessary to effectively protect children and adolescents traveling by car from passive smoking," Dr. Josef Mischo, chairman of the working group "addiction and drugs" of the German Medical Association.

But even if health experts demand appropriate regulations, my critics believe that these could hardly be controlled. The effectiveness of a ban is therefore questionable. Rather, the reason of the parents should be appealed to protect their children. (Ad)