James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Protecting children from harmful tobacco products has long been a priority for me, both as Minister for Health and in my current role as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I supported this legislation when it was introduced as a Private Member's Bill, developed and introduced by Senator Jillian van Turnhout, whom the Chairman has welcomed and whose presence in the Visitrors Gallery is welcome, as well as by Senators John Crown and Mark Daly. In June 2012 I received Government approval for the principle of prohibiting smoking in cars with children present and the drafting of amendments to the Private Member's Bill. The Department of Health worked in consultation with the Senators, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and An Garda Síochána on amendments to the legislation. This is evidence of a joined up coherent Government approach to an issue that has a significant effect on children, but it needs the input of several other Departments to make it a successful Bill that will be implemented by An Garda Síochána. All of the amendments were accepted on Report Stage in the Seanad on 17 April.

The purpose of the Bill is to prohibit smoking in cars where children are present. Let me repeat that it will be enforced by An Garda Síochána. Environmental tobacco smoke is a carcinogen and contains the same cancer causing substances and toxic agents that are inhaled by the smoker. The key point is that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. The exposure of children to second-hand tobacco smoke is a recognised risk factor for the development of asthmatic symptoms and increased risk of other illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis and middle ear infections. Compared to adults, children breathe more rapidly and have a less developed immune system They are, therefore, more susceptible to the effects of second-hand smoke. They are unable to remove themselves from risk if people smoke around them. Their exposure to second-hand smoke in cars is involuntary and particularly harmful to them in an enclosed space such as in a car. Parents and others with responsibility for the welfare of children have an obligation to ensure such exposure does not take place. The introduction of this legislation is a way of reminding those who care about the welfare of children not to light up in a car when children are present. It will also serve as a punitive measure for those who knowingly continue to disregard the welfare of children by exposing them to second-hand smoke in cars.

A number of other countries have introduced similar legislation. Australia, Canada, some states in the USA, Cyprus and France are some of the countries that are tackling the problem of second-hand smoke in cars. The United Kingdom in the process of introducing similar legislation and I have no doubt that many other countries will follow suit.

I again thank the Senators and all other parties involved in bringing the Bill to this point, including the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and An Garda Síochána. I thank members of the committee for their cross-party support the Bill has received from the beginning. I note that no amendments to the Bill have been submitted.