QT- Jenkins shines in smoking debate

Question Time was in Aberystwyth this week, with much of the focus on youth unemployment, after figures were released of 1 million unemployed people between 16-24 years of age.  However, as a first time voter, what I found the most fiercely and varied debate between the panel, was over the issue of smoking in cars.

The proposal by the BMA to ban smoking in cars provoked a lively discussion with many different opinions expressed. I found myself on the whole agreeing with Simon Jenkins, columnist and chairman of the National Trust, who responded clearly and with conviction. He argued that the fact smoking in a car can harm a child, was not the point, and that the real issue is over what/what not the government should. He said ‘we are not talking about the best thing to do, but instead the best thing for the government to do’. This was backed up nicely by Grant Shapps, the housing minister, who argued that the state would be going too far to ban smoking in cars, and that people should be responsible, not relying on the state stepping in and acting responsible for them.

With Elin Jones (a member of the Welsh Assembly) repeatedly bringing up the safety of children, she was simply out argued, with Jenkins making a joke over what her stand would be on convertibles. Jenkins concluded nicely ‘ If people want to do silly things in their car, let them do it, it’s not the government's business’.

As a first time voter, I take a fairly liberal approach to this issue, and ultimately agree with Jenkins; it’s outrageous to say what people should/should not do in a car.