Alabama House passes bill to ban smoking in the car with minors
On Tuesday, the Alabama House passed a bill that aims to stop adults from smoking tobacco products in a motor vehicle while any minors are present. Birmingham-Democrat State Rep. Rolonda Hollis filed HB26 in an effort to protect minors who cannot protect themselves from harmful tobacco products. “We aren’t saying you can’t smoke, and we aren’t saying what to do with your body,” Hollis told AL.com. “We just want to look out more for the kids.” Hollis was inspired on a date night with her husband, he lit a cigarette in the car while they were out and Hollis said she could hardly breathe. “If I can barely breathe, I’m sure children can barely breathe,” said Hollis. Violators would receive a $100 fine for every offense. According to the American Lung Association 41,000 people in the U.S. die every year from second-hand smoke, and children who are exposed to it are at risk for heart disease, lung disease, and lung cancer. Secondhand smoke is also a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and children are more likely to have lung problems, ear infections and worse asthma from being exposed to it. If the bill passes through the senate, Alabama would be one of only nine states to enact a smoking ban with children in the car. According to the American Nonsmokers Rights’ Foundation these are the current smoking bans in the U.S.: Arkansas Persons < than age 6 and under 60 pounds in a child safety seat. Effective 07/21/2006 Persons < age 14. Effective 07/27/2011 California Persons < age 18 Louisiana Persons < age 13 Maine Persons < age 16 Oregon Persons < age 18. The Legislature enacted SB444, which prohibits smoking in any motor vehicle in which a child under age 18 is a passenger. Enacted 6/11/2013 as Chapter 361 2013 Laws. Puerto Rico Persons < age 18 Utah Persons < age 16 Vermont Persons aged 8 and under Virginia Persons < age 8
Bill pre-filed in Alabama House would ban smoking with minors in car
A bill that could stop Alabamians from smoking with children in the car has been pre-filed with the state House. Birmingham-Democrat state Rep. Rolanda Hollis pre-filed HB26, which would make it illegal to smoke a tobacco product in a motor vehicle — whether in motion or at 24 rest — when anyone under 18 is also present. The penalty for violating the law would be a $100 fine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), secondhand smoke kills over 38,000 Americans each year. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, severe asthma, and reduced lung function. Should Alabama pass Hollis’ bill, it would become the ninth state, along with Guam and Puerto Rico, to have laws on the book that prohibit smoking in the car with children. According to the Public Health Law Center, as of June 2017, here are the current statewide smoking bans: Arkansas: Up to $25; may be eliminated if violator enters a cessation program California: Up to $100 Louisiana: $150 or a minimum of 24 hours of community service Maine: 1st year after enactment, written warning; thereafter, $50 fine or warning Oregon: 1st offense, $250; subsequent violations, $500 Utah: Maximum fine of $45; may be suspended if violator has no prior convictions and enrolls in cessation program Vermont: Maximum fine of $100 Virginia: Subject to fine of $100 If passed, Hollis’ bill would go into effect on the first day of the third month following its approval by Gov. Kay Ivey.
