CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Smoking in cars with children is banned in 11 states, and lawmakers are pushing to join them in West Virginia, where more adults use cigarettes than anywhere else in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, a doctor-turned-lawmaker, made a promise long ago to a patient whose father was a heavy smoker that he would try to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children in West Virginia.
Takubo has made it almost an annual effort since 2017 to introduce the legislation, but it didn't gain traction.
But it would be a secondary offense: smoking with children present cannot be the main reason a driver is pulled over.
"This is a cut at the fundamental rights of parents making a decision over their children in their vehicle.
Persons:
Tom Takubo, Takubo, ” Takubo, Sen, Mike Azinger, Azinger, ”
Organizations:
Centers for Disease Control, Delegates, Kanawha County Republican, Wood County Republican
Locations:
CHARLESTON, W.Va, West Virginia, Kanawha, Wood County