Group seeks to limit smoking

Law would prohibit drivers from lighting up with kids in car

By Rob Carson | The News Tribune • Published January 04, 2009

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Most likely, Sanderson said, the wording of the proposed law will make smoking in a car with kids a secondary offense, meaning drivers would be cited only in conjunction with some other offense, such as speeding.

"It's easier to promote something like this and encourage it though the least onerous route," Sanderson said. "Just saying, 'You're going to go to jail if you smoke in a car with kids,' is not the way to approach it."

If the law passes, Washington would be the fifth state in the country to enact such legislation.

In 2007, Arkansas and Louisiana passed laws prohibiting motorists from smoking in cars with children. California and Maine passed similar laws in 2008.

Backers say they don't expect any organized opposition to the proposal, unlike the anti-smoking initiative voters approved in 2005, which some business owners fiercely resisted.

Washington's Initiative 901 expanded a ban on smoking in public places to include schools, bars, taverns, bowling alleys, casinos, reception areas, 75 percent of the rooms in hotels and motels and places of employment.

The initiative also banned smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits, open windows and ventilation intakes of buildings where smoking is prohibited.

Sanderson thinks the new proposal has a good chance of passing.

"Our biggest challenge is going to be getting the attention of the Legislature, with all the financial issues they'll have to be dealing with," he said. "The problem will be competition rather than opposition."

A similar bill introduced in the 2008 died in committee.

It wasn't because of opposition, Sanderson said.

"I think they just flat ran out of time," he said.

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