Calls for law to stub out smoking in cars

Thursday 20 February 2014

Eight out of ten Islanders say they would support a law banning smoking in cars carrying children, and on smoking in playgrounds.

Almost 3,000 people responded to the Health Department’s (HSSD) consultation exercise. The department says the strong message is that Islanders – whether they smoke or not – want more to be done to protect children in Jersey from second-hand smoke.

Almost nine out of ten people, including three-quarters of all smokers who responded, said it is important for the States to stop children coming into contact with second-hand smoke.

Senior Public Health Manager Martin Knight said: “Scientific evidence indicates that there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Knowledge and understanding in this area have increased considerably in recent years, however many children, including babies, are frequently exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes and in cars.

“Such exposure places them at increased risk of a range of health harms including asthma, glue ear and sudden infant (cot) death. Evidence also shows that children who grow up in smoking environments are more likely to become smokers themselves.”

Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Turnbull said: “I was very pleased with the large response across all Jersey’s population groups to our consultation last summer, and the strength of public opinion saying that more needs to be done to protect our children from the harmful effects of smoke on their health now, as well as helping to reduce the number who will become smokers themselves in the future.

“Armed with knowledge of health harms, adults can – and do – make informed choices about reducing their odds of dying young from smoking-related conditions, whether by stopping smoking themselves, avoiding being exposed to other people’s smoke, or usually both. Babies and young children do not have this knowledge. Older children may know about the harms of smoking and exposure to smoke, however neither group have the power to make choices about avoiding being exposed to smoke by adults, often their own parents or others who regularly care for them.”

Health say the findings will influence the next steps in delivering the current States of Jersey Tobacco Strategy, as well as shaping the next phase of the strategy, starting next year.