Bill could put limitation on smoking in cars

Nicole Gonzales reportingIt's day two in the legislative session at the newly renovated Capitol.

If passed, one of the bills being considered today would fine smokers driving in a car with young children.

They're calling it a secondary infraction bill. Basically, if an officer cites a driver for another offense and sees that someone in the car is smoking with children under the age of five in the car, they would be fined $45.

Senate Bill 14, also known as the smoking ban in motor vehicles, is sponsored by Sen. Scott McCoy. The American Cancer Society is also lobbying for the bill's passage. A group of children and parents came in support of the bill today; most had been affected by smoking cancers and illnesses in one way or another.

One little girl said she was at the Capitol, "because my grandma died of cancer." Amy Mikkleson said, "I grew up around cigarette smoke. My mom smoked, my grandma smoked, my brother started smoking young, so for me it's important my child not be exposed to that." Theresa Nielson, a sixth-grader, said, "It will probably make their lives better, and it will lower down the rates of coughing and asthma, and stuff like that."

The American Cancer Society says secondhand smoke in children can cause serious asthma attacks and more frequent ear infections. Last year, the same bill was held up in the House because it was seen as infringing on personal rights. Michael Siler with the American Cancer Society said, "Yeah, this is private-rights-related issue, but this bill gives children the private right to not be exposed to secondhand smoke."

Josh Overall is a smoker, and he disagrees. He says, "In this country we live free, and this is our right to do whatever we want. Smoke in the car with a kid; that's up to the parent, you know."

And the Senate Health and Human Services Committee recommended the bill this morning. The Senate is supposed to be hearing the bill later on today or possibly tomorrow.

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