Twin attack in prospect on car smoking with children present

Smoking in a car when a child under 18 is present could become illegal on both sides of the border within the next year.

In Scotland, Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume has introduced a member's bill at Holyrood, following a consultation exercise which gathered enough cross-party support.

It would apply to any private motor vehicle, with an exception for a vehicle designed or adapted for human habitation and parked for not less than one night for that purpose. Police would be empowered to impose a £100 fixed penalty on offenders.

Meanwhile the UK Government has laid regulations before the Westminster Parliament that would bring in a ban from 1 October 2015. A previous vote empowered, the regulations to be brought forward but MPs will have a further chance to vote on the measure ahead of the general election.

Wales and Northern Ireland are also considering whether to introduce a ban.