Breastfeeding gets thumbs up, smoking in cars gets thumbs down

Wednesday 03 June 2015

Mothers will be free to breastfeed their babies wherever and whenever they want after politicians moved to give them specific protection under the newly-extended discrimination law.

The agreement by the States – pushed for by backbench Deputies Tracey Vallois and Louise Doublet – came just before Members voted unanimously to make it illegal to smoke in a car carrying a child.

Just after the vote on the breast-feeding amendments came in, Deputy Doublet – who has only been in the States since October – tweeted that she was very proud that States Members had supported the change.

Yesterday, she told Bailiwick Express that since she first started to campaign to expand the protection for mothers’ rights to breastfeed, she had been “overwhelmed” by the positive response from the community.

The decision to ban smoking in cars carrying children from September has also been welcomed – Consultant Paediatrician Dr Mark Jones said that the unanimous vote by the States was a big step forward.

Health say that every week, 1,800 children in Jersey are exposed to second-hand smoke, a figure that they are fighting to reduce.

Dr Jones said: “Levels of second-hand smoke in cars can be very high because of the restricted area within a car.

“Breathing in second-hand tobacco smoke (also known as passive smoking) can cause eye and throat irritation, headache and trigger or worsen an attack of asthma in children.

“Whilst second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone, children are especially at risk whilst their lungs are still developing.”

Health are hoping that yesterday’s result will encourage more people to quit smoking. There are 19 chemists offering comprehensive eight-week support to people who want to stub it out – smokers interested can call 0800 7351155 to find out more.