Under a new law passed by the 2013 Oregon Legislature, drivers caught smoking cigarettes with children in the vehicle can face a fine of up to $500 on a second or subsequent offense.
The law is considered a secondary violation, meaning the driver has to have been smoking in the vehicle upon being pulled over for another traffic infraction or offense.
“The smoke generated from smoking in a car is especially harmful since levels are more concentrated, which is particularly damaging to a child’s developing lungs,” said Lane County Public Health Officer, Dr. Patrick Luedtke.
It is estimated about 50,000 children in Oregon are exposed to second-hand smoke regularly in motor vehicles. One study from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2006 concluded second-hand smoke levels in vehicles exceed hazardous levels on the EPA’s Air Quality Index even when windows are wide open.
Jason Davis, Public Information Officer for Lane County Health and Human Services told Lane Today the law does not apply to e-cigarettes or vapor cigarettes, adding the EPA is conducting extensive research to determine the specific risks of such nicotine delivery devices, and that the public can expect an effect on policy when information is obtained.
If you or anyone you know is ready to quit using tobacco, the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line can help: www.quitnow.net/Oregon or log onto www.preventionlane.org for additional resources. As always, feel free to contact Lane County Prevention Program Supervisor C.A. Baskerville at 541-682-3031 with any questions.