Minister to stub out smoking in cars?

Friday 25 April 2014

It could soon be illegal to light-up in cars carrying children as the Health Minister pushes for measures to protect them from second-hand smoke.

Deputy Anne Pryke is proposing a change to the current smoking law and says she is confident she has the support of the Island.

The latest figures show that almost eight out of ten Islanders, including the majority of smokers, said they would support a law in Jersey to stop people puffing away in cars carrying children under 18.

Deputy Pryke said: “This is about protecting our children and the health of our islanders in the future, and this evidence shows the majority of Islanders support that commitment.

“I am a mother and a grandmother and I am acutely aware of the responsibilities I have to ensure the health and welfare of our future generations. I have listened to the opinions of Islanders, and I am delighted they concur with my views that our young children should be protected in this important way.

“I consider it my duty to protect Jersey’s children from the harms of second-hand smoke, particularly in cars, and to fulfil my commitment I will be bringing forward an amendment to the law to the States Assembly in the very near future.”

Dr Susan Turnbull, Medical Officer of Health said: “I was pleased at the consistent results from the 2013 consultation, together with those from the Jersey Annual Social Survey, pointing to what the people of Jersey, including smokers, expect to be done to protect children who may still be exposed to toxic levels of smoke in cars.

“I am equally pleased that, in our small and responsive democracy, it should be possible to achieve the necessary changes to the law relatively swiftly, and to start protecting more children at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The Health department are also working on a campaign to get across the dangers of second-hand smoke.