Guv signs ban on smoking in cars with kids, SB 7
California Political Desk
October 10, 2007
SACRAMENTO – In a move that makes California the third state in the nation to ban smoking in cars with minors, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed into law Senate Bill 7 by Sen. Jenny Oropeza.
Protecting the health of our children is among government’s highest responsibilities,” Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said. “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.
Effective Jan. 1, 2008, SB 7 imposes 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. Enacted 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.
Schwarzenegger, despite being a well-known cigar smoker, last year signed AB 2067. Both measures were supported by numerous health groups.
I am so proud that my fellow legislators and the governor agree that our children must be protected from the toxins in secondhand smoke,” Oropeza said. “I will continue to helping lead California in eliminating pollutants that hurt our kids’ health.”
Protecting the health of our children is among government’s highest responsibilities,” Oropeza, D-Long Beach, said. “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.
Effective Jan. 1, 2008, SB 7 imposes 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. Enacted 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.
Schwarzenegger, despite being a well-known cigar smoker, last year signed AB 2067. Both measures were supported by numerous health groups.
I am so proud that my fellow legislators and the governor agree that our children must be protected from the toxins in secondhand smoke,” Oropeza said. “I will continue to helping lead California in eliminating pollutants that hurt our kids’ health.”
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