South Carolina is looking to tackle secondhand smoke exposure to children with proposed legislation banning smoking in vehicles with young passengers.
Key Insights
- The CDC reports no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Sen. Darrell Jackson is a key supporter of a proposed bill in South Carolina to ban smoking in cars that contain children under 12.
- The bill faces bipartisan support.
- Similar laws exist in a dozen states, including several Southern states.
The Legislative Push
South Carolina legislators have proposed a bill that targets smoking in cars with children present. Initiated by Democratic Senator Darrell Jackson, the bill aims to protect children under 12 from secondhand smoke. This initiative is born from a broader understanding of the health impacts of secondhand smoke. The American Cancer Society’s Beth Johnson stated, “Right now in South Carolina, there’s still only 40% of our state that’s protected under a smoke-free policy.”
Lawmakers are proposing this ban to tackle public health issues and safeguard children. The bill aims for a $100 fine for violations, aligning South Carolina with over a dozen other states that already have similar laws in place.
This reportedly isn’t the first time legislation like this has been proposed in South Carolina. Jackson introduced a bill addressing secondhand smoke about two decades ago, but it was never signed by the governor.
“We have a greater appreciation, a greater knowledge of secondhand smoke and what it does to human beings, period, particularly what it does to children,” stated Sen. Darrell Jackson of the new measure.
About 10% of South Carolinians are reportedly smokers. The American Cancer Society has expressed support for the bill, emphasizing its potential to mitigate tobacco-related harm, as smoking costs the state over $2 billion annually in healthcare expenses. The introduction of this bill reflects growing attention on children’s welfare in legislation.
The Road Ahead
The proposed bill could mark a significant development in health policy, aligning with other efforts across the nation to address second-hand smoke. While smoking remains prevalent in South Carolina, lawmakers are pushing to address these public health concerns, especially for children.
The legislation has received a bipartisan endorsement in the Senate. Observers and citizens alike watch closely to see whether this effort will gain enough traction to become law in the state.
Sources
- SC bill would ban people from smoking in cars while kids are inside
- Lawmakers consider ban on smoking in cars with children. Experts say there is more work to do.
- South Carolina bill would ban smoking inside cars while children are passengers
