Smoking, alcohol, evidence and political fashion

The DH currently has an open consultation on their proposals to make private vehicles smokefree when carrying children. The cost-benefit analysis that is included in the Impact Assessment that supports the proposals is quite emphatic: £32.9m to £65.9m benefits and £2.1m costs = no-brainer.

But then you see the evidence base and assumptions, including:

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• the Royal College of Physician disease estimates relating to second hand smoke (SHS) are a fair approximation and that 5%-10% is attributable to SHS in cars
• the utility gains to children from not being exposed to SHS in cars offsets the consumer surplus lost to smokers
• smokers do not increase their smoking levels at home around children

Now contrast this with the minimum pricing of alcohol. An extensive evidence base and in-depth, peer-reviewed modelling. And not supported by government. Why?