Smoking in cars with a child inside could soon become illegal, if a vote in the House of Lords is passed on Wednesday.
Labourhas proposed an amendment to the children and families bill intended to discourage people from smoking around young people.
Drivers would be committing an offence if they failed to prevent smoking in their vehicles when a child was present.
The shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, said Britain should follow the example set by Australia, Canada and a number of American states.
He told Sky News, "When it comes to improving the health of children, we are duty bound to consider any measure that might make a difference.
"Adults are free to make their own choices but that often does not apply to children and that's why society has an obligation to protect them from preventable harm.
"Evidence from other countries shows that stopping smoking in the confined space of a car carrying children can prevent damage to their health and has strong public support."
Smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces has been banned since 2007.
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