Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Public Health, commenting on a letter published today in the British Medical Journal from over 500 doctors and nurses backing a ban on smoking in cars with children, said:

“This powerful intervention from doctors and health professionals underlines the compelling case for protecting children from smoking in cars.

“Children are especially vulnerable to passive smoking, with nearly half a million exposed to potentially toxic levels of second-hand smoke in family cars every week. Just as seat belt laws and the smoking ban have helped change behaviour in the past, outlawing smoking in cars with children would send a powerful signal and improve public health.

“Next week Parliament has an opportunity to unite behind a proposal that will tangibly improve the lives of children all over the UK. I hope MPs of all parties will seize that chance on Monday.”