Success of car-smoking ban hinges on application: lobby

A health lobby says the success of a ban on smoking in cars when children are present will depend on its implementation.

Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa says the ban, which covers youth under 18, includes vaping and applies to moving and parked cars.

“Public education and social marketing campaigns over many years have had some impact, but the rate of reduction in children exposed to smoking in vehicles is slowing. It is now time to do more by legislating,” Salesa said.

She expected the Smokefree Environments Act 1990 to be changed by the end of this year.

Once it’s changed, police can require people to stop smoking in cars if children are present.

They can also use their discretion to give warnings, refer people to stopsmoking support services, or issue an infringement fee of $50.

Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) programme manager Boyd Broughton said while the ban was a good move, its effectiveness would depend on how it was implemented.

“If it can help people reconsider smoking around young people, and be a trigger for even stopping smoking altogether, it is . . . a good thing.

“But there needs to be good support structures and a strong public campaign around it with a lead-in time, otherwise it could have more harm on our high smoking community, who are predominantly lower socio-economic, Māori and Pacific Islanders,” Broughton said.

Many in that demographic could miss the announcement, and simply fining them would not have the desired effect of reducing smoking harm. “We want to decrease harm, rather than simply fine people. So police need to be able to offer support to help people stop smoking, rather than giving instant fines.”

According to research by Ash in 2014, 100,000 children a week are exposed to second-hand smoke.

Salesa said: “First and foremost, this change is about protecting children. However, it is also part of the Government’s commitment to achieving Smokefree 2025.

“Too many New Zealand children, particularly Māori and Pacific children, are exposed to second-hand smoke in the vehicles they usually travel in,” she said.

“Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke due to their smaller lungs, higher respiratory rate and immature immune systems.

“Second-hand smoke accumulates in vehicles, even with the windows open. It reaches much higher levels than in homes.”

“The legislation will also be backed up with a new and innovative public education and social marketing effort. Ultimately, the focus of this change will be on education and changing social norms — not on issuing infringement notices.”

Several surveys show about 90 per cent support a ban on smoking in cars with children present.

Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft welcomed the move, citing wide health benefits. “Many New Zealand children and young people are exposed to second-hand smoke in cars every day. Once this legislation is passed they will no longer be forced to inhale this chemical poison.”