Smoking in a car with a child will be illegal from next year
From January 1, it will be illegal to smoke in a car that a child is travelling in.
People caught lighting up with a child passenger will face a fine of €100.
In the year 2000 we banned tobacco sponsorship and advertising, in 2003 the smoking ban in workplaces came in.
And from January 1st 2016 smoking in cars will become illegal, if there is a child in the vehicle.
Minister for Children James Reilly has said it is part of a care of duty to kids.
“Environmental smoke has so many toxins and carcinogens, that you are damaging a child, we have to exercise our duty of care towards children.”
You could face a fine of €100 if you're caught smoking in a car in which children are passengers.
This rises to €150 if you don't pay within a month, with a maximum fine of €1,000 if it goes to court.
Norma Cronin from ASH Ireland said second hand smoke in cars is particularly dangerous for children.
“It is much more dangerous because we already know there is 4,000 chemicals in tobacco and the chemicals and the toxins linger in a confined space, so it increases the risk significantly.”
