California ban on smoking in cars go to governor
California Political Desk
September 12, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In a move that makes California the third state in the nation to ban smoking in cars with minors, the California Senate on a bipartisan vote early today sent Sen. Jenny Oropeza’s Senate Bill 7 to Gov. Schwarzenegger.
Protecting the health of our children is among government’s highest responsibilities,” Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said on the final day of the 2007 session. “It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to do,”
Health experts have testified that recent scientific studies, including a 2006 report by the Harvard School of Public Health, found that second-hand smoke in a car can be up to 10 times more dangerous than in a home.
If signed into law, SB 7 would impose a $100 fine on drivers and passengers cited for smoking in a car with another person aged 17 or younger.
Protecting non-smokers and cleaning up the environment have long been priorities for Oropeza, a cancer survivor. Going into effect Jan. 1, 2007, was AB 2067, Oropeza’s measure banning smoking in common-use areas of covered parking lots and adjacent stairwells, lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators and restrooms.
The fate of SB 7 now rests with California’s Governor, who despite being a well-known smoker, last year signed AB 2067. Schwarzenegger has until mid-October to sign SB 7, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.
Protecting the health of our children is among government’s highest responsibilities,” Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said on the final day of the 2007 session. “It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to do,”
Health experts have testified that recent scientific studies, including a 2006 report by the Harvard School of Public Health, found that second-hand smoke in a car can be up to 10 times more dangerous than in a home.
If signed into law, SB 7 would impose a $100 fine on drivers and passengers cited for smoking in a car with another person aged 17 or younger.
Protecting non-smokers and cleaning up the environment have long been priorities for Oropeza, a cancer survivor. Going into effect Jan. 1, 2007, was AB 2067, Oropeza’s measure banning smoking in common-use areas of covered parking lots and adjacent stairwells, lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators and restrooms.
The fate of SB 7 now rests with California’s Governor, who despite being a well-known smoker, last year signed AB 2067. Schwarzenegger has until mid-October to sign SB 7, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.
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