Smokefree Cars
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
What’s the problem?
Due to the small interior space of a car, an increased concentration of smoke is produced quickly. Even with the window down and the cigarette hanging out the window between puffs, the car is as toxic as a very smoky bar. And if the windows are closed, then the car will be more toxic than a very smoky bar. A recent study by Wellington School of Medicine found that smoking in the car with the window closed is 100 times more polluted than the fumes at a busy traffic intersection. And after the cigarette is finished, the deadly gases in secondhand smoke can linger for hours, even when windows are open.
So what is the solution?
Make your car smokefree! Here are some simple steps…
- Do not smoke in the car and do not allow others to smoke in your car
- Take smoking breaks on long journeys or use nicotine patches and gums
- Hang a sign from the dashboard or on a window, reminding your passengers not to smoke
- Keep the car ashtray filled with sweets or loose change
What will a smokefree car mean?
- A smokefree car will be cleaner, fresher and more comfortable
- A smokefree car can be easier to sell, with a higher resale value
- Less distraction while driving. The Highway Code considers smoking while driving a distraction1.
1. The Highway Code, General Advice. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070309. Accessed 05.03.09.