TWO Hampshire MPs failed in a last-gasp bid to block a ban on smoking in cars where children are passengers.

Conservatives Mark Hoban and Desmond Swayne were among 74 MPs who voted against regulations to introduce the measure from October.

But it was passed overwhelmingly in the Commons – with a majority of 268 – to “protect young people from the serious health harms of smoked tobacco”.

Mr Hoban, MP for Fareham, said: “We expect parents to make lots of decisions about their child’s wellbeing because we trust them to do the right thing.

“The same principle should apply to smoking in cars – parents, not governments, should make that decision.”