Smoking in cars could be set to increase once the smoking ban in public places is introduced in England next month.
Research conducted by Privilege Insurance, shows that in Scotland there was a 14% rise in smoking in cars after the ban was introduced there in March last year. The study also found that 11% of drivers admitted their driving had been negatively affected as a result of smoking.
And if it were proven to significantly impair a child’s health, 70% of drivers across England and Scotland would support a government ban on smoking in the car when a child under sixteen is present. Currently 26% of drivers smoke in the car, even when they have children under sixteen present.
Drivers are already prohibited from using hand held mobile phones when driving, and last year Privilege revealed that drivers are twice as likely to crash when they are eating or drinking, so puffing on a cigarette most certainly won’t be safe.
So if research proved this, 40% defiant smokers said they would carry on puffing, 29% they would stop, 11% opted for cutting down, while 7% declared they would not smoke with passengers.
So how do you explain the sight I saw the other day with a male driver, mobile phone stuck to his ear, laughing away and lighting a cigarette. Who said men could not multitask?
How was he steering? Via his elbows. I ask you!
FemaleFirst Jackie Violet