Smoking in Cars
Last Updated on Sunday, 3 January 2010 12:52 Written by admin Friday, 1 January 2010 04:06
Smoking is now banned in most States in Australia, where children are in the car.
Some States regard children as under 18, others as under 16.
2007
- South Australia – smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 are passengers came into effect on May 31, 2007
2008
- Tasmania – smoking in cars where children under the age of 18 are passengers came into effect on January 2008
- New South Wales – Legislation to ban smoking in cars where children are passengers is in progress. The Age 2008
2009
- Western Australia – smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 are passengers came into effect on 22nd September 2009
2010
- Victoria – The Tobacco Amendment (Protection of Children) Act 2009 will make cars carrying children under 18 smokefree came into effect on 1st January 2010.
- Queensland – smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 are passengers came into effect on 1st January 2010.
Queensland
1st January 2010
A ban on smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 are passengers will come into effect in Queensland from the 1st January 2010.
The new laws will carry a penalty of $200.
People who smoke in cars with children on board will face tough new fines from New Year’s Day Acting Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said today.
As of January 1, 2010 it will be illegal to smoke in a car with a child under 16 on board, and people who don’t comply face a hefty fine,” Mr Lucas said.
“As children many of us endured a car trip with an adult who smoked but now those days are gone.
“There is a much greater awareness about the effects of passive smoking these days and a car is a very confined space.
“Unlike adults, children don’t have the authority or the choice to remove themselves from the situation.
“So, any parent or adult who believes children should have to breathe their second hand smoke will be fined.
From New Year’s Day police will have the power to issue on the spot fines of $200 in the same way fines are issued to people who talk on their mobile phone while driving.
Mr Lucas said the new law was one of a raft of tough smoking laws introduced by the Bligh Government.
South Australia
May 31st 2007
A ban on smoking in cars where children under the age of 16 are passengers will come into effect in South Australia from May 31, 2007 following legislation passed in the House of Assembly in March 2007.
Western Australia
Private Members Bill introduced on 26th November 2008 by Dr Janet Woollard, to prohibit smoking in cars if a young person (as defined in the principal Act) is present.
This Act came into operation on Royal Assent on 22nd September 2009 as Act No. 22 of 2009.
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Bills+-+Private+Members
New South Wales
February 29, 2008
Under new laws to be introduced in NSW, parents who smoke while their children are in the car could face a $250 fine.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/no-butts-in-the-family-car-new-smoking-ban-in-nsw/2008/02/28/1203788539270.html