| ■ California Bans Smoking in Vehicles Carrying Children | 2007.10.15 |
| California became the third state to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that makes it illegal to smoke if someone under age 18 is present in a vehicle. The ban takes effect Jan.1. Violators will face fines of up to $100. But police will only be able to hand out a citation for the offense if they've already pulled someone over for another violation, such as speeding or an illegal turn, the Associated Press reported. Currently, Arkansas forbids smoking in vehicles when children age 6 and younger are present, and Louisiana doesn't allow smoking in vehicles carrying children 13 and younger. Overall, at least 20 states and municipalities have considered limiting smoking in vehicles when children are present, the AP reported. Secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home, according to a Harvard School of Public Health study released last year. |