Australian MPs back call for smoking bans in cars

Jun 2 2005

A campaign by doctors to ban adults from smoking in vehicles carrying children has strong support among Western Australian politicians, an AMA(WA) survey has revealed.

Many MPs, including all members of the Parliamentary National Party, say restrictions should go even further -- imposing a total ban on smoking in vehicles.

"The survey results send a strong message to the State Government that it should act to protect children from passive smoking, particularly inside a motor car," said AMA(WA) President Dr Paul Skerritt. "Any legislation along these lines would get bi-partisan support."

The AMA(WA) survey asked MPs which of three options they supported:

1. A ban on adults smoking with children under the age of 18 in the vehicle, supported by a public education campaign.
2. A ban on adults smoking with ANY passengers in the vehicle, supported by a public education campaign.
3. A total ban on smoking in vehicles, supported by a public education campaign.

"About 50 State MPs responded to the survey, the majority backing option one," said Dr Skerritt.

"Not surprisingly, National Party members supported a total ban, probably because they have concerns about road safety issues and the number of rural bushfires started by cigarette butts tossed out of car windows.

"Similarly, the Royal Automobile Club supports the campaign because they have concern for smoking drivers being involved in crashes.

"In fact, the RAC is presently surveying its 458,000 members on the issue."

Dr Skerritt said some Government MPs were guarded in their response, not wanting to push Health Minister Jim McGinty into a corner on the issue.

"However, many said privately they backed the campaign and one or two even expressed their support publicly in the local media," he said.

Dr Skerritt said it was encouraging that so many politicians were aware of the impact of passive smoking and that each year in WA nine children died and thousands more were admitted to hospital because of related illnesses.

"Latest research shows that exposure to second-hand smoke in a vehicle is 23 times more toxic than in the home," he said. "Furthermore, scientists in the United States recently reported that breathing in someone else's cigarette smoke is about 80 per cent as bad as being the smoker."

Dr Skerritt said that on the strength of the survey, the AMA(WA) would write to Mr McGinty encouraging him to act on the issue as soon as possible.

http://www.amawa.com.au/