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Smoking with Children in Cars - No one smokes here anymore |
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| Posted by editor (editor) on Jan 15 2010 |
| 2010 >> |
Member for Southport Peter Lawlor has welcomed the Health Minister’s New Year announcement that people who smoke in cars with children on board will face tough new fines. “The Minister announced that as of the first of this month it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child under 16 on board,” Mr Lawlor said. “On top of that anyone who does not comply will face a fine. “Today there is a much greater awareness of the effects of passive smoking and its negative health impacts. “Cars are very confined spaces and children often do not have the choice to remove themselves from situations where there is tobacco smoke,” Mr Lawlor said. Effective New Year’s Day, police now have the power to issue on the spot fines of $200 in the same way fines are issued to people who talk on their mobile phone while driving. “Hopefully this new law will prove to be a further incentive to quit smoking and encourage all Queenslanders not to smoke around children at all. “Smoking kills 3,400 Queenslanders every year and accounts for 80 per cent of all lung cancer deaths. “It’s costing people their lives and draining over $200 million from our health system each year,” Mr Lawlor said. Smokers or those who have recently quit can get information and support by calling our Quitline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 QUIT (13 7848). People can call and talk confidentially with a trained telephone counsellor. “Benefits to health from quitting can come as soon as a month later – you will feel less shortness of breath and food will taste and smell better,” Mr Lawlor said. Last changed: Jan 15 2010 at 10:38 AM
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