Peers vote to legislate against smoking in cars with children

Labour and cross bench peers defeated the UK government by 25 votes on 29 January and passed an amendment to the Children and Families Bill that would ban smoking in cars when a child is present.

Labour proposed the amendment, and there is expected to be a free vote on the measure in the House of Commons in February. Under the plan a breach of the law would carry a £60 (€73; $99) fine.

The Labour peer Philip Hunt told the House of Lords that it was right for parliament to take action to protect children. He said that children …