West Virginia State Senate passes bill to penalize smoking in car with children
PRINCETON (WVNS) – Smoking in your car could become more restricted in West Virginia.
A bill that just passed the West Virginia State Senate proposes a ban on smoking inside a vehicle if someone age 16 or younger is present.
Some smokers use their vehicle as a place to smoke away from the outside. If there are children in the car, however, those children are exposed to secondhand smoke.
The West Virginia State Senate passed a bill that would prohibit smokers from smoking in their vehicle with someone 16 or younger present.
The bill still has to pass the House of Delegates and be signed by Governor Justice.
However, if it becomes law, those who are caught in the act could face a misdemeanor charge.
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Greg Puckett, Mercer County Commissioner, said determining the root of the smoking problem is the first step.
“We’ve gotta look at the environmental stuff that’s on the front side that says, ‘Why is smoking still a massive problem? Why is vaping such a pervasive problem now?’ We’re still looking at things from a punitive side on the downslope. What we need to be doing is focusing on the front side, ‘Why is vaping such a problem?’ ‘Why is tobacco use such a problem?’ If we can fix some of those things, these other pieces will just fall in line. We’ll have a healthier community” said Puckett.
Those who are charged with the misdemeanor could face a $25 fine.
Critics, like Puckett, say a $25 fine is not a substantial enough penalty.
“Does 25 dollars pay for your infections? Does it pay for your medical bills? Does it pay for the chronic asthma? Does it cause, you know. Does it pay for the long term health care costs of the child or the person that’s in the car with you? No, it doesn’t. So, there needs to be something of a penalty that’s associated with the crime they’re gonna have” said Puckett to 59News.
Similar laws are already in effect in eleven other states, meaning West Virginia would be the 12th if this bill is made law.
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