An Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that'd make it illegal to smoke in a car while a child is present.
Chicago Democratic Senator Ira Silverstein is sponsoring the measure. He says it's aimed at protecting children from secondhand smoke. The bill would prohibit smoking in a vehicle when a child 18 years or younger is present. The bill defines smoking as inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, weed, plant, regulated narcotic, or other combustible substance. Anyone who violates the measure would face a $100 fine, but police wouldn't be able to pull over drivers simply for a smoking violation.
Last year, lawmakers passed a resolution that encouraged people to not drive and smoke with children in the car, but the measure didn't ban the practice.
The legislation is SB-2659