Lords back car smoking ban

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Peers in the House of Lords, United Kingdom, have endorsed proposed plans to ban smoking in cars where children are present, but have admitted that they currently do not have government backing.

The trouble with Lord Ribiero’s bill, says Prime Minister David Cameron, is that “it would have serious implications for personal freedoms.”

Cameron continued:

“Parliament needs to have a serious think before taking such a step.”

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Lords voted through Lord Ribiero’s bill, which had support from several health campaigners and charities, this Monday.  Although the bill is without widespread government support, it is hoped that the bill will raise awareness of the proposal. 

The bill will draw on recent evidence of the success of the 2007 smoking ban in its argument.  Stats also released this week show that the amount of children between 11 and 15 who have smoked has decreased to its lowest ever level, and the amount of regular smokers has halved in the past decade. 

It remains to be seen, however, if what some see as the persecution of a person’s right to smoke in a private vehicle, will prove a step too far for campaigners.