BMA Calls for a Ban on Smoking in Automobiles

In a statement published last week, the British Medical Association asked legislators to ban smoking in cars in an effort to protect passengers from passive smoking effects.

According to the BMA, smoking toxins in a closed car could be more than 20 times that of toxins found in a bar. Because children and the elderly are not as likely to be able to choose who they ride in the car with, they are more at risk. This group also is at greater risk of being affected by the toxins because of their less developed, or compromised immune systems.

Smoking was banned in 2007 in all public places, but extending the ban to private property, such as automobiles, would be a step in the right direction according to the BMA. Vivienne Nathanson, director of professional activities at the BMA, said, "The evidence for extending the smoke-free legislation is compelling; The current UK Government prefers voluntary measures or 'nudging' to bring about public health change but this stance has been shown to fail time and time again."

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2011/11/16/health-doctors-call-f...