THOUGH England has already passed legislation banning smoking in cars carrying under 18s, MSPs are still taking about it at Holyrood (“Campaign bid to stop parents smoking in homes”, The Herald, October 8). Smoking in cars when children are present is already banned in a number of US states, as well as in parts of Canada and Australia.

The harmful effect of passive smoking, especially on children is well documented. It’s commendable that Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume has at last proposed legislation but why hasn’t the SNP Government acted before now?

Three hundred thousand children in the UK visit a GP each year as a result of the effects of second-hand smoke, with 9,500 going to hospital. Smoking in a car creates a higher concentration of toxins than in a bar - some research has put it at 11 times higher. The Scottish Government’s lack of action to date is shameful.

At the referendum, we were led to believe by the nationalists that governments of small countries are closer to the people and more responsive to their needs. So why does the SNP Government persist in failing Scottish children in this vitally important, long devolved area of responsibility?

Martin Redfern,

Royal Circus, Edinburgh.