BMA calls for car smoking ban

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for a total ban on smoking in motor vehicles.

Bringing particular attention to children's vulnerability to second-hand smoke, the BMA's Smoking in Vehicles briefing paper claims it is the responsibility of the state to protect them.

An estimated 4,000 adults and 23 children die every year as a result of second-hand smoke, while global figures run into the hundreds of thousands.

Vivienne Nathanson, the director of professional activities for the BMA praised the UK's existing smoking ban, claiming it was "a huge step forward" but added that "more can still be done".

"The evidence for extending the smoke-free legislation is compelling", she added, while the BMA's public health medicine committee co-chair Keith Reid said that banning smoking in vehicles is "the most feasible way" to protect children from smoke.

The BMA recently welcomed a Health Select Committee call for the new public health body in England to be independent of the government.