A Northland health worker wants smoking banned in vehicles where there are children after new Canadian research "makes it clear that children's health rights are being violated by smoking in vehicles".
Northland DHB Smokefree adviser Bridget Rowse said a ban on smoking in vehicles while carrying children under the age of 18 would be one specific measure New Zealand could take to protect that right.
Ms Rowse said the Canadian research makes it clear that children's health rights are being violated by smoking in vehicles.
She said New Zealand has signed international agreements, such as the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which asserts second-hand smoke as a threat to these health rights, and imposes a duty on governments to protect "all persons" from second-hand smoke exposure.
She said there is a growing trend worldwide towards vehicular smoking bans and these are generally well-supported.