Commenting on the BMA’s review of evidence on passive smoking in vehicles, professor John Britton, chair of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Tobacco Advisory Group, said:
Passive smoking is still a real issue, particularly in children and the vulnerable.
A recent Royal College of Physicians report estimated that passive smoking in children accounted for over 20,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infection, 200 cases of bacterial meningitis, and 40 sudden infant deaths. These and other ill-effects generate over 300,000 UK GP consultations, about 9,500 hospital admissions, and cost the NHS about £23.3 million.
The RCP believes smoke-free legislation should be extended to prohibit all smoking in cars and other vehicles. Governments and individuals have a duty to protect children from exposure to smoke and to smoking.