Carroll Advances Bill to Prohibit Smoking in Vehicles with Children

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to protect the health and well-being of children, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, advanced legislation prohibiting individuals from smoking in vehicles when children are present.

“I want to limit young people’s exposure to the dangers of second-hand smoke as much as possible, and banning smoking in cars is a good step to accomplish that,” Carroll said. “My bill would bring an end to this poor and careless judgment by outlawing smoking in cars while children are in vehicles.”

Carroll’s House Bill 2276 would prohibit smoking in motor vehicles with minors present by imposing fines of $100 to $250 on offenders, depending on whether it is a first or second-time offense. The bill seeks to prevent subjecting children to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke while they are riding in a moving vehicle. Carroll’s bill successfully passed out of the House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee with bipartisan support.

Carroll also recently supported House Bill 345, which raises the age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21.

“Exposing young children to second-hand smoke is detrimental to their long-term health, especially those with medical conditions like asthma,” Carroll said. “This legislation moves us in the right direction to protect kids while incentivizing people to quit smoking.”