The Alabama House Passed a Bill that Would Make it Illegal for People to Smoke or Vape in Cars with Children.
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Alan Harper, states that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if he or she smokes or uses an electronic cigarette in a vehicle while another person who is 14 years of age or younger is present.
State Representative Rolanda Hollis introduced House Bill 3, or HB3.
The bill would also apply if the motor vehicle was stopped at a traffic signal or stop sign, or even if it was parked. The driver of the vehicle would also be subject to a $100 fine for smoking or vaping in a car with a child present, and the bill would allow the parent of the child to press charges against the smoker.
“I am concerned about the safety of children. I think that HB3 will help protect our children from secondhand smoke and prevent them from ever starting smoking.”
Rep. Matt Simpson said,
“Thank you for bringing this bill. How long have you been working on this?”
National Center for Biotechnology Information of the National Institutes of Health Opinion
“Children are particularly at risk for the effects of second-hand smoke because their bodies are still growing and they breathe at a faster rate than adults.”
Alabama House passes legislation outlawing smoking or vaping in a vehicle with children presenthttps://t.co/WkKpFnqRxy
— Nanette Wilson (@Nanette86951434) April 5, 2023
A study found that second-hand smoke/passive smoking among children leads to acute respiratory illness in the form of pneumonia, bronchitis, middle ear problems and coughs & wheezing.
HB3 now goes to the Alabama Senate for consideration. The Senate has historically been slow in supporting this legislation.
Tuesday was the Fifth Legislative Day of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.
No one has yet been fined for smoking (or vaping) in a car with a child because… pic.twitter.com/AvPjwvDOIP
— Smokers' Rights (@londonsmokers) August 10, 2019
Our Opinion
The proposed bill would make it a violation of the law for someone to smoke or vape in a motor vehicle when a child is present. It also states that violators would be subject to fines if a child is present.
The bill presents an unnecessary government intrusion into people’s private lives.
It is not the government’s place to legislate what people do in their own vehicles. This bill should be rejected.
