Lib Dem Voice today publishes an article by Roger Williams MP backing a ban on smoking in cars where children are present.
This proposal is about as well thought out as that of Lib Dem MSP Jim Muir of whose bill I wrote back in April:
On first glance it may seem an attractive extension of tough anti-smoking laws to further dissuade the recalcitrant minority of smokers to give up and to protect children from second hand smoke. Until you think about it that is.It was a wrong headed idea earlier this year and nothing has conviced me since that this is still not the case.
There are a number of fundamental problems with this bizarre idea - notwithstanding its fundamental illiberalism and unacceptable increase in state intrusion into the private realm. Firstly it is basically unenforcable - as anyone who has observed drivers chatting or texting on their mobile phones with impunity can testify.
Secondly - even if it was enforceable (and it will be interesting to hear the police's view of the proposal) - it is aimed at the wrong target.
"There are a number of fundamental problems with this bizarre idea - notwithstanding its fundamental illiberalism and unacceptable increase in state intrusion into the private realm"
ReplyDeleteExcept that a car in which a child is a passenger isn't an entirely private realm - it's a place where the actions of a smoker may do harm to the child.
" it is basically unenforcable - as anyone who has observed drivers chatting or texting on their mobile phones with impunity can testify."
Given the paltry penalties for these offences this is hardly surprising. These practices will continue until it is accepted that they are as dangerous as drink-driving and should incur similar penalties to drink driving.
Your title is very misleading. One MP does not represent a whole party. Or does the view of any English MP represent the UK Lib Dems?
ReplyDeleteThey'll ban drinking in pubs next.
ReplyDelete