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The Welsh Government announced a new campaign today aimed at protecting children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke in cars.
The new campaign has been called "Fresh Start Wales" and urges parents and carers not to light up a cigarette while children are in the car to protect them from the effects of second-hand smoke. As part of the campaign they'll be advertising on billboards, local radio, bus-backs and shelters. They'll also be a dedicated website called www.freshstartwales.co.uk
A recent survey suggests that 20 per cent of 11-16 year olds in Wales were exposed to cigarette smoke when they last travelled in a car.
Commenting in a press release, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said:
"Children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke, especially in vehicles where a confined space means there is no respite from the harm of the toxic chemicals in cigarettes. Exposure to these chemicals puts children at risk from a range of conditions, including sudden infant death syndrome and asthma.
"There is robust evidence that the level of toxic chemicals is very high in cars, even with a window open. The Fresh Start Wales campaign aims to make people aware that smoking in cars is dangerous for their passengers, particularly children."
The announcement today could be part of a bigger effort to stop children being exposed to cigarette smoke while they are in cars. Last year, the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said the Welsh Government might consider imposing a ban on smoking for cars carrying children if the amount of children being exposed to the potential harmful effects doesn't fall over the next few years.
Commenting on the new campaign in a press release Jones said:
"This campaign is clear in its message: smoking in cars poisons your children.
"Wales was the first UK country to vote in favour of a ban on smoking in public places and if necessary we will not shy away from considering legislation to further protect children from second-hand smoke.
"A ban on smoking in cars carrying children will be considered later in this five-year term of Government if smoking levels do not reduce as a result of the campaign. We have commissioned research to measure levels of smoking in cars and public attitudes towards it, which will be revisited throughout the campaign to evaluate its success."
There is already a similar ban in some provinces in Canada and a number of states in Australia.
The new campaign has been called "Fresh Start Wales" and urges parents and carers not to light up a cigarette while children are in the car to protect them from the effects of second-hand smoke. As part of the campaign they'll be advertising on billboards, local radio, bus-backs and shelters. They'll also be a dedicated website called www.freshstartwales.co.uk
A recent survey suggests that 20 per cent of 11-16 year olds in Wales were exposed to cigarette smoke when they last travelled in a car.
Commenting in a press release, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said:
"Children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke, especially in vehicles where a confined space means there is no respite from the harm of the toxic chemicals in cigarettes. Exposure to these chemicals puts children at risk from a range of conditions, including sudden infant death syndrome and asthma.
"There is robust evidence that the level of toxic chemicals is very high in cars, even with a window open. The Fresh Start Wales campaign aims to make people aware that smoking in cars is dangerous for their passengers, particularly children."
The announcement today could be part of a bigger effort to stop children being exposed to cigarette smoke while they are in cars. Last year, the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said the Welsh Government might consider imposing a ban on smoking for cars carrying children if the amount of children being exposed to the potential harmful effects doesn't fall over the next few years.
Commenting on the new campaign in a press release Jones said:
"This campaign is clear in its message: smoking in cars poisons your children.
"Wales was the first UK country to vote in favour of a ban on smoking in public places and if necessary we will not shy away from considering legislation to further protect children from second-hand smoke.
"A ban on smoking in cars carrying children will be considered later in this five-year term of Government if smoking levels do not reduce as a result of the campaign. We have commissioned research to measure levels of smoking in cars and public attitudes towards it, which will be revisited throughout the campaign to evaluate its success."
There is already a similar ban in some provinces in Canada and a number of states in Australia.
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