A LEGAL bid to ban smoking in cars with child passengers was being launched by an MSP today.

Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume was outlining the plans at Holyrood about his Member's Bill in front of colleagues, charities and academics.

The South of Scotland politician believes a law preventing people smoking in cars where there are youngsters will help give them the "healthiest start in life".

Mr Hume was today officially launching the consultation, backed by health campaigners from the British Heart Foundation Scotland and the British Lung Foundation Scotland.

Mr Hume said: "Passive smoking is entirely avoidable and a private vehicle is one of the few places a child can still be legally exposed to tobacco smoke.

"I want to change this so that we can better safeguard the rights of children. I hope people and organisations will have their say."

Countries such as Australia, Canada and South Africa already ban people from smoking in cars when children are present.

However, Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said the move would be a "major intrusion into people's private lives".

He said: "We don't encourage adults to smoke in cars carrying children but legislation is disproportionate to the problem. Research suggests only a tiny minority still do it."

rebecca.gray@ eveningtimes.co.uk