Smoking Ban in Cars

This summer a new law prohibiting smoking in the car will go into effect. Governor Mike Huckabee signed the bill earlier this month in a special session. It`s called The Arkansas Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act of 2006. It states, "smoking is prohibited in all motor vehicles in which a child who is less than 6 years of age and who weighs less than 60 pounds" University of Arkansas law professor Steve Sheppard says, "Theres a strong political movement to ban smoking where minors are present." According to the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, secondhand smoke is responsible for up to 300-thousand lung infections in infants and children under 18 months. But is it the governments right to regulate smoking in your own car? Sheppard says yes, "The drivers license and license plate gives the state its power." Smoker Ted Rancifer says the government is going too far, "I wouldnt want to have my young one in the car if I was smoking, I dont do it, but I dont think its fair theyre going to enforce something of this nature." If a driver is caught breaking this law, they could face a fine of 25 dollars. The fine may be waived on the first offense if the offender enters a smoking-cessation program. The law will go into effect July 21, 2006.