The British Medical Association has had to admit today that the statistics they quoted when calling for a smoking ban in private vehicles were wrong. They had claimed that smoking in a car exposed the occupant to 23 time more concentrated toxins than a smoke filled bar. This claim was repeated in several News reports to back up their claim that smoking in cars should be banned on health grounds.
Today they admit that they made a mistake and now claim that the figure is closer to 11 times. This figure has also been challenged as far higher than is actually the case. The real worrying point is - the apology from the BMA has not been covered to anywhere near the degree that their false statement was. People watching the original report now believe that it has been proved that smoking in a car exposes the occupants to 23 times more toxins than a smoke filled bar. There have been no reports on the main stream News that I have seen that correct this figure.
If you live in the UK and want to register your opposition to the BMA proposal, please see the following thread
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/smoking-ban-in-cars-uk-a-step-too-far
Today they admit that they made a mistake and now claim that the figure is closer to 11 times. This figure has also been challenged as far higher than is actually the case. The real worrying point is - the apology from the BMA has not been covered to anywhere near the degree that their false statement was. People watching the original report now believe that it has been proved that smoking in a car exposes the occupants to 23 times more toxins than a smoke filled bar. There have been no reports on the main stream News that I have seen that correct this figure.
If you live in the UK and want to register your opposition to the BMA proposal, please see the following thread
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/smoking-ban-in-cars-uk-a-step-too-far