Anti-smoking advocates eager to have ban on smoking in cars
Published on October 5, 2009 10:14 AM
With the implementation of the public smoking ban in 2006, the Pandora’s Box was opened to anti-smoking groups, which now are focused on their new major aim – convincing lawmakers to ban smoking in cars.
The spokesperson for Action on Smoking and Health (abbreviated as ASH) recently declared that the survey carried out by the organization showed that the rate of pollution from one cigarette smoked in a car accounts for the same health risks as spending an evening in a room filled with secondhand smoke.
According to a report, named Beyond Smoking Kills, public health group admitted that ban on smoking in cars could become a principal strategy in reducing the exposure to passive smoking among teens, and preventing diseases related to secondhand smoke.
The President of Action on Smoking and Health, Deborah Arnott, asserted that among the results of lighting up in such small venues as vehicles could be severe health complications, particularly among minors.
ASH chairman admitted they have not been pushing for an immediate measure, but in rather for carrying out tests to convince the public and the government that implementation of the ban on smoking in vehicles is the most appropriate measure in the struggle with the exposure to secondhand smoke.
Ms. Arnott mentioned that it would be much healthier for everyone if smokers would have started to chew a nicotine gum every time they take the wheel. This argument was hugely criticized by FOREST foundation, who said that that Mrs. Arnott was probably lobbying for dental care along with smoking cessation.
She as well said that ASH wants to make people aware that puffing in vehicles could be unhealthy not only for the kids sitting in the back but also for the adults.
The anti-tobacco advocates launched a list of possible provisions of the amendment to the public-smoking policy, including a prohibition on the displays of tobacco products in stores, plain packaging of cigarettes in a bid to reduce the number of smokers across the United Kingdom by 5 million within the next 5 years.
In the meantime, Simon Clark, president of FOREST, foundation advocating for smokers’ rights, proclaimed that smokers have been in state of constant war against public health advocates and appealed to the officials to stop that persecution.
FOREST chairman said that smokers feel devastated and desperate about all those prohibitions and restrictions, because the health nuts simply don’t consider them as humans.
Mr. Clark insisted that vehicles are considered to be a private property and in conformity with the legislation people have their rights to decide whether to smoke or not in their private property.
