Ohio Bill To Fine $500 For Smoking In A Car With Kids

A newly proposed Ohio Senate Bill would institute a $500 potential fine to anyone who is caught smoking a cigar, cigarette, or any lighted smoking device in a car when accompanied by any children under the age of six.

Charleta Tavares, an Assistant Minority Leader in the Ohio Senate, proposed the law on March 21 and issued a statement on Senate Bill 106, according to WCMH:

“This bill is being introduced once again to protect the health and safety of Ohio’s vulnerable children. Tough issues require persistence, tenacity, and continuous education of the public and the Ohio General Assembly. I believe Ohioans want to protect babies and children as evidenced by our comprehensive work to address infant deaths. Tobacco smoke and particularly in a confined cabin of a vehicle is one of the primary issues that impact premature birth and infant mortality.”

The bill would implement a $500 fine for first-time offenders who were caught smoking inside a car while accompanied by any children, and a $250 fine for each similar offense after that.

“They have no say in getting into an enclosed vehicle with someone who is smoking,” said Tavares.

The effects of second-hand smoke in an area as confined as a car can lead to serious health ailments with time, according to Dr. Asif Khan, an allergist and immunologist.

“[…] Having these types of laws would have saved a lot of [emergency room] visits,” said Khan, according to WKBN.

“They would have saved a lot of chronic problems that children can develop because the lungs are still developing at that time, which is the key.”

The Ohio state Senator Tavares explained that Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, Utah, and Vermont have already adopted similar restrictions.

“We want to be in a leadership position as a state, rather than be one of the last states to protect the health and well-being of our children,” continued Tavares.

The age limit for children covered by these laws is not necessarily consistent with the limit proposed by Tavares for Ohio, as the age limit in states that have already taken up such restrictions is anywhere from eight to 17.

Tavares has twice before attempted to propose similar legislation. Her attempt to realize one of her prior measures, Senate Bill 89, did not pass the Health and Human Services Committee.

As of March 23, Senate Bill 106 has backing from three other Democrats and no Republicans, according to a report by the Dayton Daily News.

Sources: Dayton Daily News, WCMH/NBC News, WKBN/Photo Credit: Jose Roco/Flickr