Washington Injury Law Blog

Washington residents may need think twice before lighting up that cigarette, cigar, or pipe while driving if their kids are in the car. Bills making it illegal to smoke in a vehicle with children present is making their way through the Washington legislature.

The law would be similar to the cell phone ban. Police will not be able to pull you over for a smoking offense alone. You would need to break another traffic law that police can pull you over for, then police can add a smoking while children are present ticket.

Supporters of the law claim they are protecting kids not telling people how to live. I for one believe this is a good idea. Secondhand smoke has been linked to heart disease, ear infection, lung cancer and emphysema. Kids can’t protect themselves from their parents deadly habits. I believe we should do everything we can to discourage parents from smoking in the presence of their kids. A child’s health is more important than a parent’s freedom to engage in self-destructive behavior.