Once again, our politicians have decided to trample on the freedoms of the British people. The ban on smoking in cars when children are present was voted in by the House of Commons by 376 votes to 107.
The debate leading to this shameful act can be seen here from 17:43:30 to 19:44:45:
Parliamentlive.tv Video: House of Commons 10/02/2014
And in the Hansard text:
Parliament.uk Publication: Children and Families Bill
A few MPs spoke against the amendment and Philip Davies MP (con) gave a very fine speech. You can read it in the Hansard text from Column 614 onwards and view it in the video from 18:28:06 to 18:36:16.
Philip Davies summed up events pithily by saying:
We are supposedly here to try to defend the freedoms of people in this country. This Government want to trample over every single one of those freedoms.
Note that this is an enabling act so it is not law yet but can and will be made law whenever a current or future health minister wishes.
The voting details can also be seen here:
The Public Whip: Children and Families Bill
The BBC reported it here:
BBC News Article & Videos: Car Smoking, MPs Support Ban When Children Present
It seems the BBC have actually tracked down the ’11 times greater study’ and now the amendment has passed have revealed that:
Research published in 2009 showed that a single cigarette in a stationary car could produce levels of second-hand smoke 11 times greater than that found in a smoky bar. Although it should be pointed out that the study also said if the car was moving and a window open it reduced the toxins to well below that level.
Bloggers have also responded:
Velvet Glove, Iron Fist Blog: It’s not About the Children, it’s About Denormalisation
Taking Liberties Blog: MPs Support Ban on Smoking when Children Present