Thaindian News

London, Jan 20 (ANI): Drivers are being urged not to smoke in cars following a study that found it’s much like putting children in a smoke-filled bar.

The study has prompted NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to produce 15,000 ‘Our car is smokefree’ stickers to change the minds of 15 per cent of people who still smoke in the car while carrying children.

Smoking in cars is particularly harmful to children because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, reports the Scotsman.

The Scottish Centre for Indoor Air conducted a study wherein the researchers placed a child-size doll with smoke monitoring equipment to a car seat.

“The concentration of fine particulates that children would breathe in during these journeys sometimes reaches levels that are similar to those measured in smoky bars prior to Scottish smoke-free legislation,” said Dr Sean Semple.

And results also showed that lowering the car windows only reduced harmful air levels slightly, and not to a safe level.

Brenda Friel, the health board’s senior health improvement officer, said, “No-one would think twice about the dangers of taking a child into a smoke-filled environment, yet many drivers don’t realise the harm that can be done. Worryingly, 15 per cent of UK smokers smoke in the car with children.

“I am sure that many people who smoke in a car in which a child is travelling believe that opening the window is enough to protect them from any harmful effects. Our tests prove that this is not the case.”

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest, said, “We wouldn’t encourage anyone to smoke in a car if small children are present. It’s a matter of courtesy if nothing else, but this study borders on scaremongering.” (ANI)