John Crown (Independent)

I understand how legislative priorities can vary. Any delay in this regard would lead to real and quantifiable health problems for individuals. I suggested the other day that it would be easy to amend the original 2002 Act by including two one-line paragraphs. The first paragraph would ban smoking in vehicles in the presence of children, which is the conservative position. The second paragraph would ban smoking in any enclosed area in the presence of children. I believe it could be done with universal cross-party support. It could be enacted very quickly. The Minister of State said that a public information campaign would be essential. I suggest we would be pushing an open door with the public because there is overwhelming support for this measure. There would be no opposition to be overcome. We must remember that the tipping point for the original legislation, as introduced by the former Minister, Deputy Martin, was the exposure of people to carcinogens in a work environment over which they had no control. People did not think they should leave their jobs because others were smoking. The problem is far greater in this case because it affects young children. If the original ban was necessary in the interests of adults who could voluntarily leave their jobs, we should introduce this ban urgently in the interests of young infants, who are not aware of the problem or are unable to articulate it, and of older children, whose relationships with their parents may mean they are not in a position to say what should or should not be done.