Doctors call for near total ban on smoking to protect children

Smoking in cars and many public places should be banned, urge doctors.

The Royal College of Physicians is calling for wider measures to protect the young to be considered as part of England's imminent review of anti-smoking laws. They claim that passive smoking results in 300,000 visits to the GP by children and is responsible for many problems such as asthma and bacterial meningitis.

Going one step further than other medical bodies, the RCP has called for a blanket ban on smoking in cars - even for those without children inside. This would form one part of their espoused two pronged approach, which aims to prevent children from either being exposed to second hand smoke or even the sight of people smoking.

The RCP has also proposed that smoking be banned in places frequented by children such as parks and outdoor swimming pools, as well as near schools. "This report isn't just about protecting children from passive smoking" said Professor John Britton, head of the RCP's Tobacco Advisory Group. "It's about taking smoking completely out of children's lives.''

A three review of the smoking ban is to take place this year following the general election. Although the Government is unlikely to adopt the RCP's recommendations, it has publicly stated it is considering ways to reduce second hand smoke and encourage people to stop smoking. Hypnotherapy and NLP behavioural treatments could help anyone struggling to give up the habit - and may be in high demand if this kind of policy is approved.