Car smoking ignites debate

by Wen Xing Ho

April 28, 2008

SMOKING in cars has sparked a debate between WA’s health and civil liberties lobbyists.

 “There is overwhelming evidence that smoking in a car which is an enclosed space endangers children,” said Mike Daube, President of the Australian council on Smoking and Health. “The Western Australian government has always been the national leader in tobacco control.

“It has a very comprehensive program but there is a need to ban smoking in cars to protect children.”

 Professor Daube told eMU News he could not see why WA could not “get with the program since two states have already done it”.

South Australia banned smoking in cars in May last year, while smoking in cars carrying children was banned in Tasmania on January 1, 2008.

However, WA Council of Civil Liberties president Peter Weygers said legislation was not the answer to everything.

“Children have a right to a smoke free environment,” said Mr Weygers. “I think it is a wiser choice to have a massive education campaign, like supporting proper rehab’ programs to stop addiction to smoking.

“Legislation won’t stop the people from smoking in their cars.”