Since the 1990s, Australia has been a global leader in creating smoke-free zones. Aware of the mounting health impacts, we banned cigarette smoking in shopping centres, playgrounds, schools, and in cars with minors. This has cleaned up our air and significantly reduced our kids’ exposure to harmful second-hand smoke.

Yet all of us, regardless of smoking status, still inhale another harmful type of air pollution – exhaust fumes from the petrol and diesel cars and trucks on our roads.

Children grow up with the consequences of traffic pollution.Credit: Joe Armao

According to a recent Climate Council analysis, there are more than 3000 Australian schools and childcare centres operating close to major roads. But just last week, a world-first study found that Australian children exposed to high levels of air pollution from birth could have increased odds of developing a peanut allergy, and a likelihood it will persist across the first 10 years of life.

This is a troubling reminder that improving our air quality plays a bigger role in our children’s long-term health. Peanut allergies are common among young Australians, affecting 3 per cent of children under........

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