Car Smoking Bill Passes First Hurdle

Smoking in cars with kids could be banned within a year in Scotland.

44 MSPs across all parties support the bill, more than double the number needed.

And the proposal has received backing from the medical world.

It comes after Westminster passed a proposal for a similar ban with close to four-to-one support. 
That law is expected to come into force before the next general election.

Dr James Cant is head of the British Lung Foundation Scotland:

“Second-hand smoke poses an immediate health risk to children through conditions such as asthma and is associated with higher risk of chronic and fatal adult conditions such as COPD and lung cancer.  

"It’s hard to overstate just how risky it is.

“Nearly four-to-one support in the House of Commons to protect children from secondhand smoke in cars shows that a real consensus is developing on this vital issue. Now we need the Scottish Parliament to step up and take it forward.

“In this proposal we already have a blueprint for a world-class law. While England and Wales have had to start from scratch, Scotland has already had a full consultation on a ban.

"We know that it will work and how we can implement it  – now the Scottish Parliament must make it happen as quickly as possible.”