House Bill 461 is now up for discussion. The bill bans smoking tobacco in a vehicle if there is a child eight years old or younger aboard.According to the office of the U.S. Surgeon General, children who are around second hand smoke have a higher risk of getting bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma.
"I TMm against smoking to begin with. I indulge every now and then myself, but I don't think it TMs right, so the law that's coming up, I think it's a good law," said Saul Cantu.House Bill 461 was proposed by State Representative Terry Canales and was pre-filed on Friday in Austin.If passed, violators could face fines up to $500 if pulled over by police.Representative Canales says this is his effort to prevent children from being affected by second hand smoke.
Many believe this bill should have been passed long ago.
And while the bill would only pertain to adults smoking with children eight years old and younger, parents like Michael Molina think it should include kids of all ages."Not only under the age of eight, but until they're pretty much 18 and able to decide for themselves whether or not they want to be around that," said Molina.
The bill would affect anyone holding children in their cars, not just parents.If passed, the bill will take effect in September of next year.Seven other states in the country including California and Arkansas have passed similar laws to this one.
http://valleycentral.com/news/politics/texans-could-be-fined-for-smoking-in-cars-with-children?id=1132891#.VVJF7vlViko
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