Debate on Public Health Challenges

The Welsh Government has refused to introduce legislation to stop people from smoking in cars carrying children, during this assembly term.

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths was leading a debate on tobacco control, on 6 December 2011.

The health minister announced a draft Tobacco Control Action Plan for Wales, that aims to reduce the harm to public health caused by smoking.

In particular, the plan will aim to protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco.

It will also strive to reduce smoking prevalence amongst the most deprived communities as it is a leading cause of the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor.

However Ms Griffiths rejected calls from Plaid Cymru Health Spokesperson Elin Jones, to introduce legislation during this assembly term to make smoking in cars carrying minors illegal.

According to the minister the Welsh Government will launch a three-year education campaign about the effects of second hand smoke in cars on children.

Ms Griffiths insisted that the government will "consider bringing forward legislation", if evidence shows the campaign fails to achieve a significant reduction in exposure to second hand smoke.

The minister said: "Our aim is to drive down smokers in Wales to 16% by 2020.

She added: "Cutting the uptake of smoking amongst children and young people is vital.

"This has decreased over the past decade, but more needs to be done."

Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle stressed that waiting three years to introduce legislation was unacceptable.

He said: "Other countries have done it, so why not Wales.

However added: "I have to say that I'm not an anti-smoking fascist, and not against people smoking in cars."

Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams underlined that the cost of smoking-related diseases on the NHS was substantial.

Ms Williams called on the government to focus its attention on improving the take-up of smoking prevention schemes to reduce the harm to public health caused by smoking.

Acting Conservative Health Spokesperson William Graham agreed that a tobacco delivery plan was essential and that it was vitally important to provide a smoke free environment in Wales.

The amended motion was passed.