Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the Bill is to make it an offence to smoke a tobacco product in the presence of a child in a mechanically propelled vehicle, and a child is defined as somebody under 18 years of age. I do not disagree with the substance of the Bill because we all know the dangers to health from smoking, and particularly for those who begin smoking at an early age. We also know about the dangers particularly for those smoking in a confined environment such as a car. The Minister outlined the various illnesses that follow such as pneumonia, bronchitis and ear infections, and he also made the point that children are unable to remove themselves from such a risk. I know many cases where it is the children who are putting pressure on their parents and on the adults in their lives to stop smoking rather than the other way around.

I do not smoke. I was very fortunate never to have started, but people under 18 are legally entitled to smoke. I hope they do not, but what happens in the case of a 17 year old smoking in a car with parents who either smoke or do not smoke?

I question the need for the Bill in the first place. Is there much evidence that this practice is widespread? My perspective, from driving and going about the constituency and other parts of the country, is that in terms of the majority of parents, all the campaigns, health warnings, information and education programmes are working. I believe that adults, in the main, do not smoke in cars with their children.

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