James Roper, who works at Laurieknowe Primary School, this week used his stop sign to help highlight the new legislation, which will make smoking in a car or other vehicle carrying those aged under 18 illegal from December 5.
The offence could carry a fixed penalty of £100.
The change in law has been introduced to protect children and young people from the harm caused by second hand smoke. Latest research highlights that the toxic particles in secondhand smoke can reach harmful concentrations within a minute of lighting a cigarette in a car.
Studies have also shown the average toxic particle levels breathed in during a smoking car journey are more than ten times higher than the average levels found in the air in Edinburgh.
Public health minister Aileen Campbell said: “It is never safe to smoke in a car carrying a child and the aim of this legislation is to ensure the health of children in Scotland is protected.
“As 85 per cent of second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless, many may not be aware of the dangerous levels reached, even in short car journeys.”
Irene Johnstone, of British Lung Foundation in Scotland added: “Every child deserves to breathe clean air, and the ban will protect thousands of children.”
Lollipop man backs ban
A LOLLIPOP man from Dumfries has backed the campaign to raise awareness of Scotland’s ban on smoking in cars carrying children, one week before it comes into force.
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