Spot Fines for Second Hand Smoke

No doubt many governments across the world are taking the tobacco control war seriously. The pressure to control tobacco is not only coming from anti-tobacco campaigners, it is also being driven by the United Nations itself via its health arm the WHO.

The effects of second hand smoke first came to light in the 80s when a Japanese researcher observed that women who lived with smoking partners developed diseases and ailments similar to the smokers themselves. Since then countless more studies have scientifically proven this phenomenon beyond any reasonable doubt. The concept of second hand smoke is behind the fierce bans of smoking in public places that have been implemented in as many as 39 states in America and countless other countries across the world.

The concern about second hand smoke has been often centered around vulnerable young children who live with parents or siblings who smoke.This happens in the home as well as in vehicles. In certain parts of Australia for example, the local authorities there have been slapping negligent parents or adults with hefty fines for lighting up cigarettes in a car with children. The ban which is intended to protect children from the harmful effects of second hand tobacco smoke, applies regardless of whether the car is moving or whether windows and roofs are open.

Of the adults who have been slapped with spot fines as high as $239 in Australian currency a bigger chink has been that of women. This observation seems to suggest that women at least in this particular part of the world drive whilst smoking and carrying children more than found amongst men. Children exposed to second hand smoke are at increased risk of respiratory infections, SIDS, severe asthma attacks, ear infections and the risk of becoming lifetime smokers themselves.

Second hand smoke is dangerous so much that medical evidence shows that there is no safe level of second hand smoke. Many people who drive whilst smoking believe that opening windows whilst smoking and driving will drive the smoke out the windows. To the contrary this traps smoke at the back of the car. This is a deadly trap when the vehicle is carrying innocent passengers such as children and any other non-smokers.

The concept of fines for offenders on the spot for second hand smoke appears to be effective considering that children under 18 might not be in a position to defend their rights when traveling with an adult. It is an effective policy that might be replicated in other countries and communities. As smokers find less and less opportunities to smoke without regulations more people will be forced to quit smoking.

It must however be remembered that such one single policy in itself might not bring any meaningful success if unaccompanied by other similarly effective policies. Such supporting policies would include ongoing tobacco tax hikes. It has been proven that hiking tobacco tax leads to a gradual reduction in the number of tobacco smokers. The cost of buying cigarettes is the second most important reason why people quit smoking after the fear of the dangers of smoking.