MP STEVE Reed has failed in his bid to ban smoking in cars when children are present.
The Croydon North MP proposed a change in legislation in response to research about the dangers of passive smoking.
However his proposal, put forward at a committee for the Children & Families Bill last Thursday, was rejected because the Government is carrying out its own research. To avoid being voted down, Mr Reed then withdrew the amendment, but plans to raise the issue again as the Bill develops.
He said: "It's clearly disappointing that the Government didn't accept the amendment in committee but they've been given notice that I, and other MPs, will bring this back to the floor of the House of Commons when the Bill returns for its report stage.
"This is a sensible change which would protect children's health and enjoys growing cross-party support in addition to the very strong support from outside organisations like the British Lung Foundation. I truly hope that the Government will heed this call for action and support this responsible change in the law."
Mr Reed pointed to research which shows 165,000 children each year develop conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and lung infections due to passive smoking. The total cost of treating these diseases is estimated to be £23 million per year.
Do you support this potential law change? E-mail your views to newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk or join the debate at www.thisiscroyodontoday.co.uk
