New Zealand: Ban Smoking in Cars to Give Kids Chance to Thrive  

Source from:  Voxy (nz)  08/15/2013

The Asthma Foundation supports Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia's intention to make cars with young passengers smokefree as part of the Government's goal of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025.

"Second-hand smoke in a car is 23 times more toxic than in a house, due to the enclosed space," says Dr Tristram Ingham, medical adviser for the Asthma Foundation. "Smoke-exposed children have more respiratory and ear infections, chronic bronchitis, wheezing, and asthma. They also have more frequent medical visits, are hospitalised more frequently, and miss more schooldays."

As a founding member of the Smokefree Coalition, the Foundation is behind the campaign for a Smokefree Aotearoa. As well as causing 5,000 deaths each year, smoking has negative health effects for those with a respiratory condition including causing COPD and lung cancer. Smoking is a major trigger of asthma for some people resulting in asthma being difficult to control and actually increasing the need for medication.

"Our tamariki are entitled to thrive and be healthy; banning smoking in family cars is a step in the right direction," said Angela Francis, chief executive of the Asthma Foundation. Enditem