Senate endorses smoking ban in vehicle when children present

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Senate endorsed a bill Monday that would make it illegal to smoke in a vehicle when a child younger than age 5 is present.

Senate Bill 14 is sponsored by Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake. It passed in the Senate 20-9 and will get one more reading before it is heard in the House.

McCoy says children shouldn't be exposed to second-hand smoke when they have no choice about where they go. The age of 5 was chosen because state law says children younger than that must be in a car seat.

Anyone caught smoking with a young child in the car would be fined $45.

McCoy's bill is expected to face more opposition in the House, where lawmakers are concerned it infringes on the rights of property owners.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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