YORK COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A bill just filed in South Carolina looks to limit when drivers can smoke. S 340 would make it against the law to smoke tobacco while a child under the age of 12 is in the same vehicle.
Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson of Richland County is the bill’s author.
“I can’t imagine as a parent not knowing the danger of secondhand smoke,” Jackson told Queen City News. “So I researched and found out that there are several states that have passed bills that prohibit smoking in vehicles with children.”
As the legislation is currently written, those found in violation could face up to a $100 fine. It has bipartisan support, as co-sponsors include Democrats and Republicans from the higher chamber.
“It says that people on both sides of the aisle will put aside their differences and work together to do what’s best,” said Jackson.
The American Cancer Society is tracking several bills in Columbia this year but is not lobbying for 340.
“There is no evidence that this type of policy would really have an impact on helping people stop smoking or to prevent anyone from smoking,” said ACS’s Regional Director of Government Relations Beth Johnson.
Johnson told Queen City News city-level ordinances or increasing the prices of tobacco products can go much further when it comes to reducing use or secondhand exposure.
“Our policy is that exposure to secondhand smoke is bad for everyone, no matter the age and no matter your location, whether it’s in cars or restaurants and bars or workplaces,” she added.
S 340 has been filed and assigned to a committee, but no votes have been held.
