Scottish Politician Invites Your Opinion

Mesmerised Scottish politician Jim Hume is planning to present a bill to the Jockish parliament to ban smoking in cars and wants to hear your opinions. As such, he has produced a consultation document which is all his own work and not in any way aided by tax sponging tobacco controllers. Nope, not at all.

You can read the whole thing here.

Every item of junk science on the subject has been breathlessly reproduced, with Jimmy adding his own ignorant spin to it along the way. The result of which is that he has proposed some really illiberal shit.

I therefore propose to prohibit smoking in a vehicle while a child aged under 16 is present. The ban would apply irrespective of whether the vehicle was moving or stationary, on a road, a private driveway or any other private or public land. My proposals would also include convertible vehicles irrespective of whether the top is down but would not apply to motorcycles and sidecars.

Only in the crazy world of anti-tobacco fruitcakery can second-hand smoke in a soft top at 70mph on a motorway with the roof down be deemed a potentially lethal substance to poor innocent passengers.

Still, he is giving the illusion of democracy by asking what you think ... before carrying on regardless. The questions are on page 39, but to save you some time:

1. Do you support the general aim of the proposed Bill? Please indicate “yes/no/undecided” and explain the reasons for your response. 

2. Do you agree that legislation is a necessary and appropriate means of addressing the issues identified?

3. What (if any) would be the main practical advantages of the legislation proposed? What (if any) would be the disadvantages? 

4. Do you agree that a ban should apply to smokers while in a car with children under 16 years of age? 

5. Do you agree that the age of an offender shall be anyone aged 16 or over? 

6. Do you agree with making the fine for an offence (£60) in line with offences for failing to wear a seat belt and the use of a hand-held device while driving? 

7. What types of vehicles should the ban apply to? Do you believe that these proposals should include convertible cars irrespective of whether the top is down? 

8. What is your assessment of the likely financial implications (if any) of the proposed Bill to you or your organisation? What (if any) other significant financial implications are likely to arise? 

9. Is the proposed Bill likely to have any substantial positive or negative implications for equality? If it is likely to have a substantial negative implication, how might this be minimised or avoided? 

10. What lead-in time should be allowed prior to implementation of the ban and how should the public be informed? 

11. Do you have any other comments on or suggestions relevant to the proposal?

Be nice with the last one, folks.

You have until the end of the month to answer these questions, and I heartily encourage you to do so via the means below.

You are invited to respond to this consultation by answering the questions in the consultation and by adding any other comments that you consider appropriate.

Be nice with that too, eh?

Responses should be submitted by 5pm on Friday 30th August and sent to: 

Jim Hume MSP 

M2.20 

The Scottish Parliament 

Edinburgh 

EH99 1SP 

Tel: 0131 348 6702 

Fax: 0131 348 6705 

E-mail: jim.hume.msp@scottish.parliament.uk 

Please indicate whether you are a private individual or an organisation. 

He is promising to make the responses public, so fire away and see if you get published.