The Welsh Government will not consider banning smoking in cars carrying children until at least next month, despite an overwhelming vote in favour of the move in the House of Commons.
Driving with a child present
The Welsh government is awaiting results of its own three-year campaign to stop people smoking in cars where there are children before making a decision. Their campaign called Fresh Start aims to evaluate the risks of children travelling in cars where people are smoking.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The amendment to the Children and Families Bill, voted on in Westminster yesterday, gives both the UK Government and the Welsh Government powers to ban smoking in cars carrying children if that course of action is chosen.”
Speaking about the Fresh Start campaign the spokesperson said: “We have consistently stated that we will consider the possibility of legislation once we have fully evaluated the impact of the campaign”.
A ban in England will definitely go ahead after MPs voted in favour of an amendment to the Children and Families Bill which paves the way for Wales to follow suit. The vote was passed by 376 votes to 107. A spokeswoman for Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) Wales said the organisation would welcome a ban in Wales.
Meanwhile a spokesman from the pro-smoking lobby group, Forest, said an outright ban is a step too far. “Smoking in a car with children present is ‘inconsiderate’ says Forest but a ban is a step too far,” said a statement from director or Forest Simon Clark.
