by Playfuls Staff |
19th January 2007
Anti-smoking advocates have scored a victory in Bangor, Maine, with a new city ordinance banning smoking in cars if [more] children are present.
Beginning Friday, the law imposes a $50 fine on any adult caught smoking while a child under 18 is a passenger, The New York Times reports.
Arkansas, Louisiana and Puerto Rico have recently enacted similar bans but Bangor is believed to be the first U.S. city to do so.
Experts say the law is part of a new frontier of cigarette regulation as smoking bans move beyond public settings to private ones.
Since passing the ordinance, Bangor City Council members have received complaints about invasion of privacy along with threats to boycott the city.
Bangor plans to begin enforcement by issuing warnings and plans a radio campaign to make citizens aware of the new law.
© 2007 UPI
