New law prohibits smoking in a car with minors present

Tuesday, January 01 2008

A new California law that took effect New Year's Day prohibits adults from smoking in vehicles when children under the age of 18 are present.

The "smoke-free cars with minors" law was passed to protect children from exposure to secondhand smoke, according to Christy Kessler, supervising health education coordinator for the El Dorado County Public Health Department.

Kessler said the bill had been in the works for several years and previously was rejected. Louisiana and Arkansas also ban smoking in cars when minors are present, although the Arkansas law applies to children under 60 pounds or younger than 6. In Louisiana, the law applies to children younger than 13.

Article continues here...