Georgia Bill Seeks to Ban Smoking in Cars with Kids Under 14

Georgia State Representative Sandra Scott, a Democrat and educator from Rex, has once again introduced legislation that would prohibit smoking in vehicles when a minor under the age of 14 is present. The proposed law, House Bill 17, would apply to vehicles both in motion and parked, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $100 fine for violators.

Rep. Scott previously filed similar legislation during the 2017-18 session, but the bill never received a committee hearing. The reintroduced version has not yet been assigned to a committee for the 2019 legislative session.

Georgia is not alone in considering such a measure. According to LegalBeagle, several states have already banned smoking in vehicles with minors, including Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont. Advocacy groups like the “Americans for Nonsmokers Rights” work to raise awareness about the benefits of these types of legislation and encourage more states to adopt similar policies.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids emphasizes the overwhelming evidence of the harm associated with children’s exposure to secondhand smoke, particularly in enclosed environments like vehicles. While research specific to children, secondhand smoke, and vehicles is limited, the organization stresses that the overall body of evidence supports the need for protective measures.

Concerns About Enforcement and Legislative Process

Opponents of the initiative have raised questions about how such a law would be enforced. The current language of House Bill 17 does not specify punishments or fines, but it is expected to be inserted into the “Smoke Free Air” section of the Georgia Code. This section is enforced by authorized agents of the Georgia Department of Health and county boards operating under the state agency.

For the bill to become law, it must first pass through the House Committee before being voted on by the full House. If successful, the measure will then move to the Senate Committee and, subsequently, the Senate floor. If approved by both chambers, the bill will be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature. The legislative calendar for the current session has not yet been set, leaving the timeline for potential passage uncertain.

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