Regulations to prohibit smoking in cars when children are present finally passed into law

The measure will enter into force on 1 October 2015 and is designed to protect vulnerable children from the effects of tobacco smoke exposure, which can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory disorders.

According to the British Lung Foundation around 430,000 children are exposed to secondhand smoke in their family car every week. A BLF survey in 2011 found that 86% of children said that they wanted action to be taken to protect them from cigarette smoke when they are in the car.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of health charity ASH said: "Generations of children have grown up protesting about having to put up with smoking in cars. Finally, their call has been heard and from October this year they will be protected by law. The next step is standardised plain packaging. The Government has committed to making this law, but to do so they need to get a move on and lay the regulations before Parliament without further delay.

"Taken together, the regulations on smoking in cars and standardised packaging will help de-normalise smoking and protect children from this deadly addiction.”