HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to make secondhand smoke a crime the same as speeding.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) said he will introduce legislation to make smoking in a vehicle with children 12 years old or younger inside a summary offense, according to a co-sponsorship memo he sent to colleagues this week. If it passes, violators could get a ticket the same as they would for running a red light or speeding.
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“Exposing passengers, both children and adults, to secondhand smoke in the confined space of a car is extremely hazardous,” Yaw said.
He cited research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed secondhand smoke causes asthma attacks, respiratory and ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome. The CDC said two in five American children are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Pennsylvania banned smoking in most public places and workplaces in 2008 with the Clean Indoor Air Act. The act applies to company-owned vehicles, but not personal vehicles. Such a restriction would require amending the vehicle code, which Yaw’s bill does.
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Elsewhere not covered by the act are casinos and some bars. E-cigarettes also fall outside its regulations.
Yaw has not yet submitted his bill for consideration.
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