Research released by the British Medical Association (BMA) provides strong evidence that smoking in cars is harmful to non smoking passengers, with children and the elderly particularly vulnerable.

The BMA are calling on all UK governments to ban smoking in private vehicles because of the high levels of exposure to toxins.

ASH Wales Chief Executive Elen de Lacy responded:

“We already know that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke with exposure increasing the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases.

We were pleased when the Welsh Government announced during the Summer that they would consider banning smoking in cars when children are present but we want to see legislation introduced at an early stage along with a public awareness campaign. There is already strong public support for such a ban with four out of five Welsh adults supporting us, and BMA’s research shows why legislation is needed now to protect our children from dangerous toxins.”