London:
Smoking in cars carrying children will soon be banned in England under new laws put forward by the British government.
The regulations laid before Parliament propose banning smoking in cars with children under 18 years of age. A fine of 50 pounds will be imposed on people who smoke or fail to prevent another person from smoking.
British MPs will vote on the propositions before the election, and if they are passed, the change in law will come into force on October 1, 2015.
The move comes after a free vote in British Parliament in February gave ministers the power to introduce the law, although it did not compel them too.
“Second-hand smoke is a real threat to children’s health and we want them to grow up free from the risks of smoking,” Public health minister Jane Ellison said.
“The only effective way to protect children is to prevent them from breathing second-hand smoke and our plans to stop smoking in cars carrying children will help us to do this,” he said.
