Bill Would Outlaw Smoking in Car with Young Kids

Arguing that a child has no way to escape the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, a Columbus Democrat told a Senate committee yesterday that it’s time for Ohio to ban smoking in vehicles with passengers younger than 6.

“Smoking is especially dangerous in cars because the toxic air is much more concentrated and smoke fumes in vehicles pose a greater risk for children,” said Sen. Charleta B. Tavares, the bill sponsor.

The bill likely will get more hearings, and the committee chairman, Sen. Tom Patton, R-Strongsville, said he supports the idea.

Patton said he is “pretty much in favor” of the bill banning smoking in vehicles when young children are riding, but he wonders how an officer will know whether a child is age 5, 6 or 7.

“But I think someone that young should be protected,” he said.

As a Columbus city councilwoman in 2004, Tavares successfully pushed for a ban on smoking in public places, two years prior to enactment of the statewide ban.

Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Fairlawn, said he was “intrigued” by the bill and would like to work with Tavares on it. He and others on the committee said it should also include a public education component so that parents understand the dangers of smoking with a child in the vehicle.

LaRose said the bill is likely to run into opposition from members who see it as infringing on personal freedom — an ideal that seems especially strong among some lawmakers when it involves vehicles.

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