Proposed Smoking Bans Aim To Curb Secondhand Smoke

The Senate Health Committee on Wednesday will consider a bill (SB 7) seeking to ban smoking in a car in public view that contains anyone under age 18, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The measure, introduced by Sen. Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach) would fine violators $100 for smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe in a car. The driver would not have to commit another traffic offense to be pulled over.

Oropeza said prohibiting smoking in a car is not an invasion of privacy. She added, "When we're talking about children's health -- life and death -- I do think there's a role for government."

Two other states and Puerto Rico last year passed similar bans, according to the Chronicle (DeFao, San Francisco Chronicle, 3/26).

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday voted to ask the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would ban smoking in most city parks, except for golf courses, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The ordinance would expand on a 2004 law that bans smoking on city beaches and a 2002 law that prohibits smoking within 25 feet of playgrounds, sports fields and picnic areas in parks.

The ban would designate smoking areas in some of the city's 390 parks.

The council tentatively agreed to exempt golf courses at the request of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (McGreevy, Los Angeles Times, 3/24).