A Scottish company that spends thousands of hours a week on the nation’s roads has joined a Government campaign to reduce the impact of passive smoking in cars on Scotland’s children.
Eagle Couriers, the country’s largest independent courier service, will lead the way and lend visibility to the campaign by putting bumper stickers on their entire fleet to highlight this health risk to children.
The legislation has been backed comprehensively, with 86 per cent of people in Scotland[1] expressing support for the move, which from December 5th made it illegal to smoke in a car or vehicle carrying children under 18. The offence could carry a fixed penalty of £100.
Aileen Campbell, Minister for Public Health and Sport, said: “This government is committed to protecting children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
“Our target to reduce the proportion of children exposed in the home from 12 per cent to six per cent by 2020 has been met five years early. The ban on smoking in cars will help to build on that success by reinforcing the message that the toxic fumes from cigarette smoke are harmful – particularly to children.”
The bumper stickers, which feature the smoking ban’s logo and the phrase ‘We’re On Board’, will be visible on Eagle’s cars and vans throughout Scotland.
Eagle Couriers’ 120-strong fleet can make over 20,000 deliveries per week, so will ensure that the campaign message is spread in their deliveries as far afield as Orkney and the Highlands.
The awareness campaign will take place ahead of The Smoking Prohibition (Children in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Act 2016 which will make it an offence to smoke in the presence of children under the age of 18 in a private vehicl
Exposure to second hand smoke can expose children to higher concentrations of health-threatening chemicals than in larger, open areas – even if the windows are open or air-conditioning is used. These chemicals can increase risk of heart disease, respiratory disease and cancer.
Jerry Stewart, Co-Director of Eagle Couriers, said: “It has been said that up to 60,000 children in Scotland could be affected by the new legislation so helping to spread the word is vitally important.
“If something so simple can have an effect on the health of children throughout the country then we knew we had to lend a hand. We’re absolutely delighted to be working with the Scottish Government to make a difference.”
A similar ban on smoking in cars carrying children came into force in England and Wales earlier in the year with Northern Ireland looking at following suit.
From its headquarters in West Lothian and bases in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen Eagle Couriers has a fleet in excess of 120 vehicles and has a 20-strong office based team.
Smoking in cars is harmful for both the driver and the vehicle. It creates an uncertainty by distracting the driver from the road at which point anything could happen. If you got into car accident and do not know what to do with your wrecked car, look for companies that can help recycle your vehicle. Thus having both your cars and drivers insured is an excellent way of protecting both. Many websites like utilitysavingexpert.com are helping business but offering the comprehensive insurance packages which covers both the driver and the van under a single insurance policy thus helping companies hugely.
For more information on the ban and its background, please visit: http://www.rightoutside.org/legislation
[1] 2016 YouGov Survey
