DRAFT LAWS BANNING smoking in cars where there are children present have been approved by the Government.
Three senators, Professor John Crown, Sen Jillian Van Turnhout and Sen Mark Daly have all been working together on the issue.
Sen Van Turnhout told TheJournal.ie in April that the senators were putting forward “very simple” legislation.
Children are suffering. So it is specifically in relation to children and we are suggesting that there is a fine [for those caught].
Under the legislation, gardaí would be responsible for policing whether people are smoking in cars with children also present.
Senator van Turnhout described it as a public health issue but said that it would make sense for gardaí to have responsibility for policing it, given that they look after road safety issues.
According to RTÉ, the Government has approved the draft laws. Health Minister James Reilly can now draw up amendments to the private members’ bill concerning the issue.
Read: Ban smoking in cars with children present, say senators>
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