Doctors in the UK are calling for a ban on smoking in cars, claiming that the toxicity of the fumes inhaled by drivers in the confines of their cars is as much as 23 times higher than that in a smoky bar or nightclub.
We all know about the dangers of smoking, and while some of us have chosen not to smoke, others continue to ignore the warnings and to puff away, despite new rulings on where they can and can’t smoke, which are getting stricter all the time.
Now it’s the turn of drivers to face the legislators, and it will be interesting to see what public opinion has to say about this.
The obvious dangers, aside from the cigarette smoke, is that drivers who are smoking are focusing on their oral habit, rather than on the road, and since one hand is holding their cigarette it’s not too different to being on the phone, which as well all know is deemed as highly dangerous.
Passengers in a car where someone is smoking also suffer from the risk of inhaling second hand smoke, especially if they are young children, and in my opinion any parent who subjects their children to this is guilty of child abuse.
There are other arguments against smoking in cars as well, which you will I am sure be in favour of, especially if you have been offended by these.
Firstly we have those motorists who are guilty of throwing their cigarette butts out of the window, and I am sure that these days it’s the majority. If you have ridden a bicycle or motor cycle behind a car and had someone open their window, throw a burning cigarette end out and have it land on you, then you will be well aware of the dangers.
The other thing that really annoys me is sitting in traffic, when someone in a car that is close to you has their window open and the smoke wafts into yours. It’s bad enough when you have your windows closed and the fan on, but with your windows open it’s even worse. No matter where we are, we shouldn’t have to put up with the smell of other people smoking, period!
Obviously as a non-smoker I have very biased views on this. I am curious to hear what smokers have to say, especially as some appear not to be able to handle the drive to work without lighting up like a chimney.
More Information
Doctors Call For Smoking In Cars To Be Outlawed (The Daily Mail)