March 24, 2015
Since 2007, Rep. Henry Genga has waged a campaign to pass legislation that would prohibit smoking in motor vehicles when children are present. According to Genga, the aim of his bill is not to punish drivers, but to educate the public and protect small children from second hand smoke. "This is not primarily about punishment. It is about education. Education is our best weapon to implement change," Rep. Genga says.
The American Lung Association reports that children who breathe second-hand smoke are likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis and other lung diseases. In addition, children with asthma who breathe second-hand smoke are more vulnerable to attacks. The statistic also notes that there is an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases every year of infections, in infants and children under 18 months of age who breathe second-hand smoke.
"A car is one of the smallest, most confined spaces in which a person could smoke. This is detrimental to a child, as they are held captive and can't escape the smoke of their parent's cigarette, especially when strapped into a car seat," Rep. Genga says.
Rep. Genga has garnered support for his bill from many legislators, including Rep. Chris Perone of Norwalk, the House chairman of the Commerce Committee, who recently wrote an article. READ THE ARTICLE IN THE NORWALK HOUR
Tobacco Free California also has produced an informative video, which illustrates the dangers imposed on children who are trapped in cars with secondhand smoke. Even with the windows rolled down, cigarette smoke has serious health consequences for kids.