Victoria Gets Tough On Tobacco With New Smoking Ban In Cars
People will be banned from smoking in motor vehicles with children under 18 when new tobacco laws come into force on January 1, 2010.
Health Minister Daniel Andrews and Quit Victoria Executive Director Fiona Sharkie today said the legal change would help protect children from exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to reduce the impact of tobacco-related harm to the Victorian community, particularly among children,” Mr Andrews said.
“This new law will mean that no-one is allowed to smoke in a motor vehicle if a person under 18 is present.
“This ban includes whether the car is moving or not, whether the windows are open or closed, and whether the roof is down or not.”
The maximum penalty for an individual breaking the new law will be five penalty units ($584.10) with an infringement penalty (on the spot fine) of two penalty units ($233.64).
Mr Andrews said the law would encourage more parents to not smoke around children, and quit.
“Research shows there is no risk-free level of second-hand smoke in confined areas such as cars, in fact the air quality when a person smokes in a car is similar to that of a smoky pub,” he said.
“Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at increased risk of premature death and disease, as well as reduced lung function, severe asthma, and increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections.”
Mr Andrews said that recent research by the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer at the Cancer Council Victoria highlighted the need for this latest smoking ban.
“This research shows that more than two-thirds of secondary school students said there was a ban on smoking in the family car when children were present,” he said.
“However, almost 20 per cent of those surveyed said that smoking was allowed with the window open, or there were no rules or restrictions on smoking in the car when children were present.
“The research also highlights that smoking habits and attitudes of parents greatly influence the likelihood of students picking up the habit.”
Mr Andrews said the new bans were part of the Brumby Government’s Victorian Tobacco Control Strategy 2008-2013 released last December.
“The Government has set an ambitious target to reduce smoking in the adult population by 20 per cent, from 17.3 per cent to 13.8 per cent by 2013,” he said.
For more information visit www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms
Topics: Brumby Labor Government, cars, children, cigarette smoke, Governance, health care, Health Care, motor vehicles, quit smoking, second hand smoke, smoking, smoking laws, tobacco laws, tobacco related harm, Victoria
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Osama Bin Laden Dead?
- Florida To Share $1 Billion For Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts
- Texas Prays For Rain During Extreme Drought Conditions
- Governor Christie Takes Action To Reduce Diesel Emissions, Improve Air Quality
- Governor McDonnell Outlines Draft Transportation Improvement Program
- Alaska Energy Bill Passes Legislature
- Illinois State Building Receives ENERGY STAR Award
- Homeland Security Begins Using National Terrorism Advisory System
- U.S. Outlines New Health Insurance Options For Graduating College Students
- Electrolux Expands In North Carolina, To Create 200 Jobs In Charlotte
- Virginia Storm Victims To Receive Tax Extension
- U.S. Expands Broadband Investment For Rural Areas To Accelerate Job Creation
- U.S. To Invest $130 Million For Advanced Energy Research
- Michigan Passes “I’m Sorry” Bill
- Kentucky Sells Two State Aircraft To Save Taxpayer Dollars
