MSPs to hear car smoking ban fears

MSPs will hear fears that police officers could be diverted away from tackling terrorism and organised crime to enforce a proposed ban on smoking in cars with children in them.

Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume wants smokers to be fined £100 if they are caught lighting up in a vehicle when under-18s are present.

His Bill has already won the backing of the Scottish Government.

But Police Scotland and others have voiced concerns about the impact it could have on the force if it's passed.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins and Chief Superintendent Iain Murray will raise the issue of how it is to be implemented when they give evidence to Holyrood's Health Committee.

While Police Scotland said it backed the principle of the Bill, it claimed plans to make the the force the "sole enforcement authority" for the legislation should be"carefully considered".

Mr Hume said he was "delighted to have Police Scotland's support for the aims of my bill."

He argued the detection of many seatbelt offences and mobile phone offences over the last year shows that identifying and fining smoking offenders would be possible.

But Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Alex Johnstone said it would be "nigh-on impossible" to enforce the ban using Police Scotland.

He believes there are other, better ways to move away from smoking in confined spaces with children.