Bill to ban smoking with kids in car
05/04/06
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Parents would have to stub out their cigarettes while their kids are in the car, under a bill headed to the Senate for debate.
The bill would prohibit anyone from lighting up a cigarette, cigar or pipe in a vehicle while a child required to be in a booster seat or car seat is riding along -- a child up to 60 pounds, or up to about eight years old.
The House approved the bill in a 66-31 vote.
Representative Gary Smith said he introduced the measure because he wants to prevent health problems that children can have from second hand smoke inhalation. He said children don't get a choice in whose cars they ride.
But Representative Carla Dartez said the bill infringes upon parents' rights to raise their children.
Cigarettes
