HARTFORD – Smoking in motor vehicles would be banned whenever children are riding in baby or boosters seats, under legislation overwhelmingly approved this morning in the Public Health Committee.
The bill, which next moves to the House, would require police to issue warnings for first-time violations. Second and subsequent violations would result in infraction fines of $100.
“What we’re doing is protecting those who don’t have a voice,” said Rep. Henry Genga, D-East Hartford, adding that even with driver’s windows open two inches, cigarette smoke still gets to young passengers.
“Second-hand smoke is devastating,” he said. Seven states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia have similar bans. The bill contains provisions preventing police from using incidents where they stop smoking motorists with child passengers, as probable cause to search vehicles.