The Daily Populous Monday February 17th, 2025 evening edition
Authored by abcnews4.com and submitted by Forward-Answer-4407

State Sen. Darrell Jackson, a Democrat from Richland, announced the introduction of a bill aimed at protecting South Carolina's children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

The proposed legislation would prohibit smoking in vehicles when a child under the age of 12 is present.

Citing extensive medical research on the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure, Sen. Jackson emphasized the bill's importance in safeguarding the health of the state's youngest and most vulnerable residents.

"No child should be forced to breathe toxic secondhand smoke, especially in the confined space of a vehicle," Jackson said. "This bill is a common-sense measure to protect our children's health, just as we already do with car seat and seatbelt laws."

Studies show that secondhand smoke in enclosed spaces significantly increases a child's risk of respiratory infections, asthma, and other serious health complications. Similar laws have already been enacted in more than a dozen states, with strong support from public health advocates.

"As a father and grandfather, I believe we have a duty to create a healthier future for the next generation," Jackson continued. "This legislation is not about punishing smokers; it's about ensuring our kids can grow up in an environment free from unnecessary health risks."

MammothFollowing9754 on February 17th, 2025 at 01:58 UTC »

I don't mean to be a downer, but these kinda feelgood bills always come with some kind of awful rider paperclipped on, so what's the paperclip?

Jaded_Present8957 on February 17th, 2025 at 01:43 UTC »

I wish we’d had that when I was a kid.

Illestbillis on February 17th, 2025 at 01:41 UTC »

We have that in Canada for under 16.