Bill Would Limit Smoking in Vehicles
The Senate Health Committee on Wednesday approved a bill (AB 379) that would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with young children present, the Contra Costa Times reports. The bill, by Assembly member Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood), would direct police to issue a warning for a first-time violation and a $100 fine subsequently.
The measure would prohibit smoking a "lighted pipe, cigar or cigarette containing tobacco or any other plant" in a vehicle with a child younger than age six, the age at which children do not have to ride in a safety seat in California. The prohibition would apply to vehicles on private property and parked vehicles, as well as vehicles in motion.
The Assembly voted 49-30 to approve the measure. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Similar legislation was defeated in 2004 (Garcia, Contra Costa Times, 6/29).