Smoking drivers hit hard by law

Naomi Hockins | 31st October 2009

QUEENSLAND has brought in a ban on smoking in cars carrying children under the age of 16.

Although Member for Burnett Rob Messenger was pleased the bill went through, he thought more could have been done to make motorists stub out the habit.

“I think they should ban smoking in cars, full-stop,” Mr Messenger said.

He also hit out at Deputy Premier and Health Minister Paul Lucas, saying he “giggled” at his suggestion.

“I don’t think he is fit to be health minister,” he said.

The ban has been welcomed by the Cancer Council Queensland.

“It is seen as a victory for the council and the Queensland community,” communication adviser Robyn Poole said.

“We have been advocating for some time now to have smoking in cars with children stopped.”

Cancer Council Queensland tobacco program team leader Emma Dalglish said the “concentrated level” from sm- oking in cars had serious health risks.

She said respiratory infections, middle ear disease and bronchitis were all health concerns related to passive smoking in children.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Paul Lucas said the new laws would start from January and apply on all public roads.

“These new laws are about reducing the exposure children have to tobacco smoke,” Mr Lucas said in a statement on Thursday.

The legislation was passed in Queensland parliament on Thursday as part of measures contained in the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2009.

The government described its anti-smoking laws as the toughest in the country, including smoking bans for public places as well as restrictions on retail advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products.

Other states are also introducing bans on smoking in cars with children.

Recent Comments

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Posted by syro75 from Maroochydore, Queensland

31 October 2009 8:46 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

What about cracking down on Cars that Smoke.

Posted by Predictor from Moore Park, Queensland

31 October 2009 2:54 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I'm not a smoker and I am not agreeing to that stupid law that has nothing to do with Road Safety at all..end of Story..!
This is an intervention of public liberty and going too far that next perhaps Rob Messenger is lobbing to stop smoking in peoples own homes...!!
The interior of a car is a private environment to the owner as it is the extension of the biggest asset, his Home which shall be his Castle and he can do what he like with it.
I would suggest that civil Libertarians do anything in their power to stop this ever creeping up nonsense and I suggest that every smoker put a full stop to Rob Messengers power acts and give him the walking paper at the next election...!
As far as I'm concern this government is going too far into stoping peoples freedom and their liberty and by doing noting by allowing this to happen..only "HELL" will be in this revenue sucking country...!

Posted by peteroram from Australia, None

31 October 2009 6:03 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I dont think they went far enough. They should also find people who are carrying young babies or near young children.. These should also be find. I wiull be the first to make a phone call to the authorities when the new law is broken

Posted by MonaLisa from Branyan, Queensland

01 November 2009 11:25 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

I feel that any move to protect children from adults is a positive one. It's not about removing freedom from people who chose to do anything to or for themselves but it's about protecting those who are otherwise powerless.
It will not be policed well I don't think just as the smoking in public places ban is not policed at all well - I was with my children at the Apple Tree Creek Rodeo a few weeks ago and people just lit up a cigarette anywhere in the crowd without a care for people around them and shopping centre entrances are the same as is the beach and a parks - no one is enforcing these changes to the law either.

Posted by dunno from Mount Pleasant, Queensland

02 November 2009 11:03 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »

i went to the football at dairy farmers stadium earlier this year and witnessed the smoke, fumes and chemicals associated with the fireworks, this cloud hung over the stadium for a good 20 minutes and i estimate would have equelled 20 years of passive smoking.

Can the hopeless state government legislate to stop fireworks being set of in close proximity to the masses, why dot use the carpark all the patrons are in the stadium and can still see the fireworks.