Smoking in a car with a child could soon be illegal

A bill that would make it illegal to smoke in a car with children is moving through the Florida Senate. The Health Policy Committee approved it with five yeas and one nay on Tuesday, April 1. The legislation, if passed, would make it illegal to smoke tobacco products while in the car with a child under 13. The violation would be considered a non-moving violation of traffic laws with a $30 fine, but that does not include county fees and court costs. Senate Bill 548 was introduced by Senator Jeff Clemons and co-sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz. If approved, the legislation would take effect October 1, 2015.