Assembly rejects bill seeking to bar smoking in cars with children

[Kadie]

Assembly rejects bill seeking to bar smoking in cars with children

Published 5:27 pm PDT Thursday, May 27, 2004

An attempt to make California the first state to bar smoking in cars carrying young children was rejected by the Assembly on Thursday despite warnings about the serious health risks created by secondhand smoke.

Critics said the measure amounted to too much government intrusion.

The bill got only 36 votes. It needed at least 41, a bare majority of the 80-seat house, to move to the Senate. Thirty legislators voted against it.
The bill, by Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, D-South Gate, would authorize fines of up to $116 for smoking in a vehicle carrying a child who was required to be in a child safety seat.

Children who are younger than six or who weigh less than 60 pounds are supposed to be carried in the protective seats.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/story/9441613p-10365673c.html