Lawmaker seeks to ban Massachusetts drivers from smoking while infants are in the car

[Ian David]

BOSTON -- A Bay State lawmaker wants to snuff out smoking for drivers with kids in the car.

The legislation would fine first-time offenders $25 and repeat violators $100 for smoking inside a vehicle while in the presence of a child, who by law must be in a car seat, meaning kids under age five or weighing less than 40 pounds.

State Rep. Michael Costello (D-Newburyport) filed the law on behalf of Ken Trofatter (pictured), a Salisbury firefighter and father, whose mother died of lung cancer.

This past November, a Harvard School of Public Health study stated that the second-hand smoke inside cars created a "potentially serious threat to children's health," possibly making kids more prone to ear infections and intense asthma attacks.

However, some say the law would disrespect parents and trample smokers' rights. {Boo-friggin' hoo}

Approximately a dozen states, including Connecticut and Rhode Island, have already begun debate on banning drivers from smoking while children are inside the vehicle.

More:
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO45218/