|
No smoking with child in car
12/10/2007 07:21 - (SA)
Los Angeles - California's cigar-loving governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has passed a law making it an offence to smoke in a car carrying children under the age of 18, official sources said on Thursday.
The new law - the latest in a series of crackdowns on smokers in California - was signed into law by Hollywood icon Schwarzenegger at the state capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday.
Motorists can be issued with tickets for $100 for violating the law, although cars would have to been stopped for another traffic offence before a ticket could be issued.
The legislation was one of a series of Democratic bills in California that have been criticised by Republicans as "nanny bills".
However health groups welcomed Schwarzenegger's support for the bill.
"If nanny government creates healthier kids, we're for it," said Paul Knepprath, vice-president of government relations for the American Lung Association of California.
"We're pleased he signed the bill, not withstanding his own personal issues with tobacco."
California is the third state to ban smoking in cars carrying minors.
Arkansas and Louisiana passed laws banning motorists from smoking in cars last year.
- SAPA
|
News
