Lung Health News, Fall 2004 / Winter 2005
Once again, California is stepping out in front with new efforts to further protect the public from secondhand smoke, both indoors and out. Beachgoers and children who ride in cars with adults could be spared breathing in cancer-causing tobacco smoke if two innovative bills pass the legislature.
The tide is turning up and down the coast as cities like Carpinteria, Huntington Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica, Solana Beach, and San Clemente have already passed local laws banning smoking on the beach. On the state level, Assembly Bill 1523 (Koretz, D-West Hollywood) would declare all state beaches smoke-free.
Another bill (Assembly Bill 1569, Firebaugh, D-South Gate) would protect children who are required by law to ride in car seats (until age 6 or 60 pounds) from secondhand smoke. Adults would be prohibited from smoking in their vehicles when these young children are present. California would be the first state in the nation to pass such a law.
