Published on Thursday17thDecember2015
Reilly & Varadkar announce start date for smoking ban in cars where children are present
Health Minister Leo Varadkar and Children and Youth Affairs Minister James Reilly with Millie Sunderland (5) and Fionn O'Callaghan (11)
Health Minister Leo Varadkar and Children and Youth Affairs Minister Dr James Reilly have announced that a ban on smoking in cars where children are present will come into effect on New Year’s Day. The regulation was signed into law this week under the Protection of Children’s Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014, and will take effect from January 1st 2016.
From that date it will be an offence for anyone to smoke a tobacco product in a vehicle where a child is present, or to allow someone else to smoke in the vehicle. The offence will be enforced by the Gardaí and carries a fixed penalty of €100 with the option of tougher penalties of up to €1,000 for failing to stop or providing inaccurate details. Ministers Reilly and Varadkar were joined by 11 year old Fionn O’Callaghan from Wexford who contacted the Government to express his own concerns about the dangers of tobacco smoke in cars.
Minister Reilly said:
Recent research shows that many children are effectively trapped in cars and exposed to toxic and health damaging smoke. We all have a duty of care to our children and the prevention of damage to their lungs is a responsibility for us all.
Minister Varadkar said:
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey indicates that almost one in every five children is exposed to second hand smoke in cars. This measure can only improve the health of many children and I know it will be supported by the public.