Illinois could soon ban smoking in cars with kids

Posted on May 23, 2019
Cigarettes
Illinois lawmakers are inching closer to banning smoking with kids in the car. (Pixabay)

 

By Benjamin Yount/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – It could soon be against the law to smoke in the car if kids are present.

The Illinois Senate is the last stop for a plan that would ban smoking in cars with kids.

State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, said the idea is all about safety. Her proposal would ban smoking, even with the windows down, if there’s anyone younger than 18 in the car.

Police could write tickets for violations for up to $250, but they couldn’t stop vehicles just for smoking.

“The problem in [passing this plan] in previous years was that this was an opportunity for law enforcement to stop vehicles as, kind of, a gotcha,” Morrison said this week. “This takes that out.”

But there are some lawmakers who say the idea is too much.

“I hate smoking. I will vote all day long to tax cigarettes and vapes, as high as we can set them, to try and convince people not to smoke,” said state Sen. Laura Murphy, D-Des Plaines. “But I really think that this is an overreach.”

The Illinois House approved the proposal back in March.

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