Make it illegal to smoke in vehicles

It is heartening to note that the legal age for smoking has been raised from 18 to 21 years of age (Minimum legal age for smoking to be raised to 21; March 10).

More can be done to protect our children from second-hand smoke.

It is time for us to seriously consider having laws that will make it an offence for adults to smoke inside a vehicle when there are children inside.

As children tend to breathe more rapidly than adults, they are more prone to inhaling second-hand smoke in enclosed areas, such as in a vehicle, even with the windows open.

Their less-developed airways, immune systems and lungs mean they are exposed to greater risk of cancer, pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma when they inhale the chemicals in second-hand smoke.

I have witnessed many instances of adults smoking nonchalantly beside their children. They do not realise the harm they are doing.

Adults should also be educated on the harm second-hand smoke has on children nearby.

Seah Yam Meng

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 14, 2017, with the headline Make it illegal to smoke in vehicles. Subscribe