Time to stub out smoking in cars?

DOCTORS are calling for smoking to be stubbed out in all vehicles ‘to protect children’. It is already illegal to light up in work vehicles, but the anti-smoking lobby now wants a blanket ban to prevent the passive smoking that allegedly causes 22,000 new cases of asthma and wheezing in children every year.

Reporter Karen Doherty asked shoppers in Tommyfield indoor market if this is a nanny state too far, or about time too...
IT is yes to a ban from Helen Pickering (33), from Coldhurst, who has personal experience of the consequences.

She was shopping with husband Darren and daughter Holliemay and explained: “My step-father was smoking in the car and actually dropped the cigarette between his legs while driving. Luckily there wasn’t a lot of traffic so there wasn’t a crash. I was a child at the time and it was a big shock.”

Darren (41) agreed. He said: “Smoking while driving is like being on a mobile phone, especially if you have to reach to use the cigarette lighter in the car.”

Fellow non-smoker Mavis Standring (77), from Royton, agreed, saying: “When you are driving you can’t smoke and hold the wheel as well — and I do not think passengers should be able to smoke either.”

But daughter Carol Cummins (51), also from Royton, said: “No. I am a smoker but I wouldn’t do it if children were in the car. If a ban came in I would have to stop because I do not want a fine.”

Gary Carter (34), from Chadderton, said: ‘It is a good idea because the smoke isn’t going anywhere, it’s trapped in the vehicle. It is also dangerous — If you drop it on the floor you could start a fire.”

John Wickland (75), from Oldham, likes to keep fit — walking five miles every day whatever the weather — and has never been tempted to smoke.

“It’s a thing that’s never appealed to me. I think a ban is a good idea because it would protect children.”

Yasmin Khan is another supporter. The 56-year-old carer from Glodwick was in a taxi when a driver lit up illegally and said: “I did not say anything, I just got out. It should be banned for health reasons.”

But Stan Evans (60), from Hollins, thinks smokers are an easy target and said: “I do not smoke if there are children in the car but other than that, no

“There is too much nanny state. The Government would be shot down without smokers and drinkers.”

Non-smokers Frank and Vera Hitchen, from Chadderton, agreed. Mrs Hitchin (70 said: “I am not really bothered as long as there are no children in the car. It’s common sense.”

Her husband (75) said: “It is a nanny state.”