Do you want to make a difference to the health of our children?

A joint submission from 11 leading health non government organisations, including the Asthma Foundation of WA has been sent to the WA Department of Health regarding proposals to ban smoking in private vehicles and select outdoor settings. The submission called for smoking to be prohibited from any outdoor eating or drinking areas as part of a business, beaches, parks, sporting arenas, children's playgrounds, cars carrying children and transport waiting areas.

The State Government's review of the scope of current legislation on tobacco offers an exciting opportunity to make improvements to tobacco control legislation that in the longer-term will better protect, promote and prevent risks to public health.

“Evidence shows that exposure to smoking in cars increases the risk of asthma in kids by 50 per cent. It can cause asthma in kids who haven't had it before and trigger attacks for those with the condition,” Professor Geoff Dobb, State President of the AMA.

“The confined space of a car increases exposure to tobacco smoke and opening windows does not help reduce the risk. Unlike other environments, kids can't escape from cars when their parents are smoking.” Professor Dobb said.

Cancer Council WA has created a 'Smoke-free WA campaign' page for members of the community wanting to get behind the campaign.  This page enables access to the joint NGO submission, media release, a form letter and contact details for MPs and Mayors, background information on the campaign and the issue of smoking outdoors and in cars.

To find out more, please visit http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/prevention/tobacco/smokefreewa/

The other agencies to sign the submission are The Cancer Council, AMA, National Heart Foundation, Diabetes Association, Australian Council on Smoking and Health, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research on Children's Respiratory Health, Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control and the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA.

To find out more about the Asthma Foundation's Newborns Asthma Parental Smoking project visit the NAPS website