Traffic expert Joe Micallef Stafrace has said that the idea of imposing a ban on smoking in cars when children are on board is compelling because safeguarding children's health and safety should be a must.

In a nutshell, he said, the idea of imposing such a ban should be irrefutable.

His comments to this newsroom come as new legislation is expected to be passed next month in the UK which calls for smoking in cars with children present to become illegal.

The law won't apply just to parents, but to anyone driving with a child on board. Those breaking the law can be punished with a fine up to £800 (€1,000) while drivers that fail to stop passengers from smoking in a car with children can face fines up to £10,000 ($€12,500).

The law will be made under provisions in the Children and Families Act and applies to anyone caught smoking in a car carrying anyone under the age of 18. Enforcement officers will be able to issue a fixed penalty of £50 ($79) and if the case goes to court the maximum fines could apply.

"We want to protect children from the harms associated with second-hand smoke and the Government will proceed with the introduction of regulations to end smoking in private vehicles carrying children in England," British public health minister Jane Ellison told the Daily Mail this week.

Dr Stafrace also pointed out that smoking while driving can pose massive dangers, despite the fact that during his career he never compiled an anncident report which took place as a result of smoking in cars. But another issue which can lead to accidents, he said, is if in the event cigarette ash falls on the drivers lap for instance. He also called for tougher penalties to be imposed on those caught using a mobile phone while driving.

"One cannot imagine the implications of mobile phone use while driving; without wanting to, drivers feel the need to answer to a phone call while driving since the call could be urgent and it is only tougher penalties which could prevent one from resisting the temptation to answer a call," he said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, a spokesperson for the Health Secretariat told this newsroom that it has no comments to make at this stage on the issue.