Stop smoking in your car to save children

The law has changed to protect children and young people from the dangers of “secondhand smoke”. Both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50.

Every time a child breathes in secondhand smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals, which continually risks their health. MATTHEW CRITCHELL reports JOSEPH MAGRI, FROM LANGDON HILLS I think the laws need to be stronger and stop people all together because people don’t want to get into car when someone is smoking.

I heard on the radio that police will not be enforcing this new law and I think that is what they are paid to do really.

The new rules have been advertised on the radio and bus stations but not enough and more advertising could help.

I’m note sure how much coverage the papers have given the issue.

ALEXANDRA WAITE, OF SOUTHEND WORKS WITH A COMPANY OFFERING DAY TRIPS TO CHILDREN The facts are that smoking is harmful to people, not just children.

However, I think this will upset a lot of people because people will not want to be told not to smoke in their car.

My sister smokes, but she doesn’t do it in the car with her children I don’t see a problem with people smoking outside their car if they want to.

I think it will be difficult to enforce and I’m not sure how that would be done.

In terms of the health and safety of children this is a good idea, but I don’t think people will like it at all.

MUM CLAIRE WATERIDGE, OF BASILDON I am surprised we haven’t got stringent laws against smoking in cars around children anyway.

I don’t really understand why it has taken this long to bring in enforcement to stop people smoking in cars around children.

I think it should just be common sense because smoking around children is very harmful and it shouldn’t be happening. I’m not sure how it will be enforced to be honest, it might be difficult.

I think there will be those people who think it’s my car and my child and I can do what I like.

MAJA JEFFERIES, AN ADOPTIVE PARENT, FROM HOCKLEY We have laws against smoking in buildings so what is the difference with smokIng in cars?

I think also smoking while driving is dangerous because if you drop a cigarette you will be looking for it and second-hand smoke is very harmful for children and people.

I do think it will be difficult to enforce this I am not sure how that will be done if I am honest.

I guess it will be the same as people using the mobile while driving or not wearing a seat belt.

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR TARIQ MUSAJI, FROM WICKFORD I think smoking in cars should be stopped all together, like eating, because it takes away the focus from the main thing which is the driving.

Smoking is harmful to children and the children have no say if their parents want to smoke in the car.

I think the problem is enforcing the new rules because of the recent cut backs in policing.

I think also people will take the view that it’s the same as smoking at home – children are exposed to second hand smoke at home.

MUM OF TWINS, LAURA WOOD, FROM BENFLEET My twins were premature and so I am very passionate about keeping them away from smoke and people who are smoking.

I think this worse in a car because the children can’t escape and have no choice if the parents are selfish and want to smoke.

I think it will be difficult to enforce because I think people will think they can do what they like.

I think people with children will be aware, but I don’t think enough people are aware.

BASILDON TAXI DRIVER RALPH MORGAN I agree that smoking in cars in wrong.

I think it’s about time that something was done to stop people smoking in cars.

I have heard that car dealers believe that smoking in a vehicle can take £500 off the sale value because of the time and care needed to valet the car.

It also affects children – when a vehicle is in motion and a person is smoking, the smoke will travel backwards or towards the children and it is harmful for children.