ONE of Ayrshire’s largest motor dealers has teamed up with NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Fresh Air-shire service to highlight the ban on smoking in cars while young people are present.

The ban came into effect this Monday, December 5, and to raise drivers’ awareness of the new law, Ingram’s motor dealers will have display stands in all of their showrooms during the month of December.

There will also be information available to drivers in the showrooms about the ban.

It is now illegal to smoke in a car if there is anyone aged 18 or under present. The new legislation has been introduced to protect children and young people from the harm caused by second-hand smoke, which can put them at risk of serious conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.

Dr Carol Davidson, Director of Public Health, said: “We fully support this new law. The latest research highlights that the toxic particles in second-hand smoke can reach harmful concentrations within a minute of lighting a cigarette in a car.

“Studies have also shown the average toxic particle levels breathed in during a smoking car journey can be more than 10 times higher than the average levels found in the air in a street in a major city such as Edinburgh.

“Our Fresh Air-shire service is on hand to help provide support and advice to anyone about the new law.

“We are also here to help if anyone is thinking about using this time to consider stopping smoking or making their homes and cars smoke-free.

“It is the single best thing someone can do to improve their health.”

Malcolm Ingram, Managing Director of Ingram Motor Group, commented: “We are delighted to be in partnership with NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Fresh Air-shire service to highlight the ban on smoking in cars with young people present.

“We are in an ideal position to ensure any driver coming to our showrooms is aware of the ban.

“As the new offence could carry a fixed penalty of £100, we want to help make sure our customers are aware of the law and potentially save them money.”

Fresh Air-shire is the smoking prevention and cessation service covering all of Ayrshire and Arran.