Politics & Government

Legislation Calls for Ban on Smoking in Vehicles with Kids

The bill is sponsored by Attleboro state Rep. Paul Heroux.

Smoking in the car with the young ones in the backseat, or even the frontseat, could become illegal. Attleboro state Rep. Paul Heroux has introduced a bill that would ban all smoking in a vehicle when children are present. A violation would lead to a $100 fine. Heroux testified about the bill this week before the Joint Committee on Public Health.

The bill states:

A law enforcement officer may not search or inspect a motor vehicle, its contents, the driver, or a passenger solely because of a violation of this section. For a period of 90 days following the effective date of this act, any law enforcement official who stops a motorist solely because of a violation of this section shall not issue a citation, but shall issue a verbal or written warning. 

Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

State House News Service reported Heroux called the bill "an act to protect little lungs."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here