Scotland set to ban smoking in cars with youngsters

A bill to ban tobacco smoking in cars carrying young people yesterday passed its first hurdle in the Scottish parliament, according to a BBC story.

Members of the Scottish parliament voted unanimously for the principles of the Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced as a members’ bill by the Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume.

The bill is now due to be considered by the health committee and then returned to parliament for final approval.

According to the bill, those who smoke in cars carrying young people could be fined up to £100 (US$153).

England banned smoking in cars carrying those under 18 as of October 1 and set a maximum penalty of £50.

But shortly after the ban came into force a story in The Daily Telegraph said that motorists who broke the new law were unlikely to be prosecuted or fined.

While the police had the power to stop drivers and issue on-the-spot fines, chief officers indicated that they would focus on taking a ‘non-confrontational’ approach.

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said drivers would be “educated” rather than prosecuted.

“As the existing smoke-free law extends to vehicles, police forces will be following guidance from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health by taking an educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach when enforcing the new legislation,” the spokesman said.