MD Senate Passes Bill Banning Smoking in Vehicles With Children
By: Ciara Brown
Updated: March 20, 2013
ANNAPOLIS, MD- If you're a smoker who likes to light up in your car you'll want to make sure children aren't around.
The Maryland Senate passed a bill on Wednesday to prohibit smoking in vehicles with children younger than 8-years-old.
The Senate voted in favor of the bill 27-20 and it now heads to the House of Delegates.
If the bill clears in the house, Maryland will join a handful of states that have passed similar laws. Violators in the state would face a fine of up to $50.
Some lawmakers worry the bill would encourage government regulations of other private behaviors, such as smoking at home.
However supporters of the bill say government has a responsibility to protect children from secondhand smoke in vehicles, where they can't escape.
Senator Ron Young was the only western Maryland senator to vote in favor of the bill.
The Maryland Senate passed a bill on Wednesday to prohibit smoking in vehicles with children younger than 8-years-old.
The Senate voted in favor of the bill 27-20 and it now heads to the House of Delegates.
If the bill clears in the house, Maryland will join a handful of states that have passed similar laws. Violators in the state would face a fine of up to $50.
Some lawmakers worry the bill would encourage government regulations of other private behaviors, such as smoking at home.
However supporters of the bill say government has a responsibility to protect children from secondhand smoke in vehicles, where they can't escape.
Senator Ron Young was the only western Maryland senator to vote in favor of the bill.
Comments
This is so pathetic.They'll want to know what we feed our kids next.Not to mention other things.That's invasion of OUR lives
Bev B.
March 20, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Sounds more like CA !!!
allen m.
March 20, 2013 at 11:26 am
