Best thing ever!! i cant agree with this new law enough!Im not a smoker and it pisses me off that people are rude and smoke in public places. Second hand smoke is deadlier than actually smoking.. and it should be treated as if its manslaughter. parents that f' with their kids lives should be held responsible. They shouldn't smoke around them and the car a horrible place to smoke to began with.

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Calif. Bans Smoking in Cars With Kids

Thursday, October 11, 2007 6:25 AM

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California motorists will risk fines of up to $100 next year if they are caught smoking in cars with minors, making their state the third to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. But the traffic stop would have to be made for another offense, such as speeding or an illegal turn, before the driver could be cited for smoking.

The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, joins a string of smoking prohibitions adopted in California, including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground.

A Harvard School of Public Health report issued last year said secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home.

"Protecting the health of our children is among government's highest responsibilities," said the bill's author, state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat. "It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to ***

At least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. Arkansas now bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, while Louisiana has limited it when children 13 and younger are in the vehicle. Maine lawmakers will take up the issue in January.

© 2007 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


 

I don't know if I initially agree with you on this one. It's sad this kind of this has to be a law, and parents can't take enough responsibility. I beleive that second hand smoke should be kept away from kids, but this could lead to a ban on smoking in the car at all, and I don't think you should toss out that right.  

I agree it is probably a good idea, but a sad thing to have to legislate. But it makes me remember when I was a kid, riding around in our Buick Electra Estate Wagon with wood panelling. It had bench seats and my brother and I would fight over who could sit in the back seat in the middle with his arms over the middle of the front seat. And we didn't even THINK to put on seat belts. AND my mom was smoking the whole time while driving. Plus, I am pretty sure no one told her to quit even when she was pregnant. And I didn't come out of her looking like swiss cheese. I don't think so, at least. And no I will not include a photo so you can decide for yourselves!

Just remember, kids aren't made of porcelain. They do survive. Even though I do agree smoking with your kids in the car is irresponsible. I smoke and I never smoke in the car or even around someone who doesn't. That is just rude.