Bill Would Fine Smokers With Kids In Car
POSTED: 4:40 pm EST February 28, 2008
UPDATED: 7:58 am EST February 29, 2008
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A state Senate committee is considering making it illegal to smoke inside a car if young children are riding, as well.
The bill would expand the Clean Indoor Air Act to cars. It would make smoking in cars with children ages 6 years or younger as a passenger illegal
"It is certainly an extension of the Clean Indoor Air Act in terms of protecting people from the dangers of second hand smoke. In this case though, it's children who are shown to be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of smoke," said Sen. Michael Lenett, D-Montgomery County.
Although the bill is a public health measure, it's being considered under the state transportation article for several reasons -- it may be easier to get it out of committee and it is designed to make it easy for police to enforce.
"This would be a primary offense, but it would be facilitated because all a police officer would have to do is look for someone smoking in a car and a child in a car seat. Maryland law already requires children 6 and under to be in a car seat," Lenett said.
The first offense would be a warning and a second offense would carry a $100 fine. After that, a $250 fine would be imposed for each subsequent violation.
The bill has several cosponsors and is supported by a number of medical associations; however, it is still not an easy sell in the Senate Finance Committee.
"I think that the nanny state is alive and well in Maryland. And that's unfortunate. I think that this bill is an example. People are hearing about this on the street. I was getting a haircut the other day and the person cutting my hair said, 'Can a bill like this actually happen? I thought I owned my car. I thought that was my personal space -- my personal decisions.' So, I think we are getting carried away here in Annapolis," said Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Eastern Shore.
A similar bill has been introduced in the House. Violators face $50 fines under that proposal. A hearing scheduled this week was canceled.
State law already prohibits bus and commercial drivers from smoking with children in the vehicle.
Bill Would Fine Smokers With Kids In Car - Baltimore News Story - WBAL Baltimore
POSTED: 4:40 pm EST February 28, 2008
UPDATED: 7:58 am EST February 29, 2008
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A state Senate committee is considering making it illegal to smoke inside a car if young children are riding, as well.
The bill would expand the Clean Indoor Air Act to cars. It would make smoking in cars with children ages 6 years or younger as a passenger illegal
"It is certainly an extension of the Clean Indoor Air Act in terms of protecting people from the dangers of second hand smoke. In this case though, it's children who are shown to be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of smoke," said Sen. Michael Lenett, D-Montgomery County.
Although the bill is a public health measure, it's being considered under the state transportation article for several reasons -- it may be easier to get it out of committee and it is designed to make it easy for police to enforce.
"This would be a primary offense, but it would be facilitated because all a police officer would have to do is look for someone smoking in a car and a child in a car seat. Maryland law already requires children 6 and under to be in a car seat," Lenett said.
The first offense would be a warning and a second offense would carry a $100 fine. After that, a $250 fine would be imposed for each subsequent violation.
The bill has several cosponsors and is supported by a number of medical associations; however, it is still not an easy sell in the Senate Finance Committee.
"I think that the nanny state is alive and well in Maryland. And that's unfortunate. I think that this bill is an example. People are hearing about this on the street. I was getting a haircut the other day and the person cutting my hair said, 'Can a bill like this actually happen? I thought I owned my car. I thought that was my personal space -- my personal decisions.' So, I think we are getting carried away here in Annapolis," said Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Eastern Shore.
A similar bill has been introduced in the House. Violators face $50 fines under that proposal. A hearing scheduled this week was canceled.
State law already prohibits bus and commercial drivers from smoking with children in the vehicle.
Bill Would Fine Smokers With Kids In Car - Baltimore News Story - WBAL Baltimore
