MSPs have unanimously passed new legislation that will ban smoking in cars when children are present.
The Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume was backed in a vote at theScottish Parliament.
The legislation will bring in fines of £100 for motorists caught smoking in private vehicles while a child aged under 18 is on board.
The Bill won the backing of Holyrood’s Health Committee, the Scottish Government, Scottish Labour, charities and academics, although some concerns were raised about its enforcement by Police Scotland.
Mr Hume told MSPs the bill had been amended so that the responsibility for enforcement would be shared between police and local authority environmental health officers.
He said: “The aim of this piece oflegislation is to protect our children and young people from the harmful effects of exposure to second-hand smoke within the very close confines of a motor vehicle, where the concentrations of harmful particles are significant, around 11 times denser than the smoke in bars that we’ve already legislated for.”
Public health minister Maureen Watt said the legislation would contribute to the Scottish Government’s drive to cut the number of children exposed tosecond-hand smoke from 12% to 6% by 2020.
She added: “This is about promoting a change in cultures and attitudes.
“We know that there has been asignificant change in behaviours and attitudes since the introduction of smoke-free legislation in 2006.
“Scotland can be proud that it is proven itself to be a world leader on tobacco control. This is an important piece of legislation in ensuring every child in Scotland has the best start.”
A publicity campaign will be carried out to make the public aware of the change in the law.