Key Summary
- England plans to ban vaping and heated tobacco in cars carrying under-18s.
- Indoor areas, playgrounds and hospital grounds could become vape-free, following consultation.
- A 12-week public consultation supports the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, backed by health leaders including Chris Whitty and Wes Streeting.
The government plans to ban vaping in cars in the presence of children below 18 years, to prevent them from getting exposed to second-hand smoke.
This was included in a public consultation to seek views on stopping people smoking, vaping or using heated tobacco in public playgrounds and education settings in England.
While smoking in cars has been illegal in England since 2015, the new legislation extends the restriction to vapes or heated tobacco, the Guardian reports.
Areas outside healthcare locations - such as hospitals - would also become smoke-free and heated tobacco-free under the proposals.
Indoor spaces, where smoking is already banned, would be vape-free and heated tobacco-free, subject to consultation.
However, outdoor hospitality settings, including pub gardens and open public spaces, are not included in the proposals. Private homes and private outdoor spaces are also out of scope.
The consultation will be open for 12 weeks until 8 May.
This consultation marks an important step towards the implementation of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.
There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and children, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable.
Short-term exposure can cause immediate symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing and headaches, while long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of chronic disease.
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said, “People who do not smoke but who are exposed to second-hand smoke can suffer significant harmful effects on their health, including an increased risk of asthma, poor birth outcomes, several cancers, stroke and heart disease.”
Health secretary Wes Streeting, said, “No child in a playground or hospital patient should suffer because someone else chooses to smoke.
“Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer and we want to protect children and the sick from harm.”
