1 month ago
By JOHN RABY
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia, which has nan highest complaint of big cigaret usage successful nan nation, became nan 12th authorities to prohibition smoking successful vehicles pinch children coming nether a measure signed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice connected Friday.
But violators tin only beryllium fined up to $25 if they’re pulled complete for different offense. Smoking pinch children coming cannot beryllium nan main logic a driver is stopped.
About 22% of West Virginia adults smoked successful 2021, nan latest twelvemonth available, according to nan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says location is nary safe level of vulnerability to secondhand smoke.
Justice didn’t remark connected nan bill, which was among 15 he signed Friday. West Virginia’s 60-day authorities convention ended connected March 9.
The measure originated successful nan Republican-dominated authorities Senate, whose mostly leader, Tom Takubo, is simply a lung doctor. Takubo has said he made a committedness agelong agone to a diligent whose begetter was a dense smoker that he would effort to get specified authorities passed. Takubo has made it almost an yearly effort since 2017 to present nan legislation.
The biggest hurdle came in nan House of Delegates finance committee, wherever it won constrictive transition aft Republican Del. John Hardy called it “just different large authorities bill.”
“The adjacent measurement is your home. The adjacent measurement whitethorn beryllium your business. Where are we moving this to?” Hardy said. “This is nan astir un-Republican measure that I’ve ever seen successful my life.”
Republican Del. Dana Ferrell said sometimes nan authorities has to intervene for nan information and well-being of children.
Ferrell said erstwhile he and his siblings were younger, his parents smoked successful nan car. He recalled nan kids trying to hide successful nan backmost spot adjacent nan level successful an effort to shield their faces.
“It whitethorn look trite to some, but I’ve been there. I’ve knowledgeable that,” Ferrell said. “It’s a horrible business I wouldn’t wish connected immoderate different child.”
The GOP-led House later gave last transition to nan authorities without debate.
