Council takes aim at smoking in automobiles

LIHUE >> Kauai County officials have approved a measure targeting secondhand smoke that would make it illegal for adults to smoke in their vehicles while minors are inside.

The County Council’s Public Works and Parks and Recreation Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend passing a bill to implement the change, the Garden Island reported Thursday.

County Council members were divided on the issue. Those who supported the proposal praised it as a step toward “protecting our youth.”

“It comes down to taking care of our youth and the rights of our children,” Councilman Mason Chock said.

Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said the bill could spark more dialogue about the impacts of smoking.

“It might not stop a parent from smoking, but I think it will move us more toward a culture of understanding a new mindset about the dangers of smoking,” she said.

Council members against the bill said efforts should focus on education and outreach instead.

“You don’t need to pass a law for education,” Arryl Kaneshiro said. “You don’t need a law to create a commercial for someone to come on TV and talk about how bad secondhand smoke is.”

Councilman Ross Kagawa questioned how authorities would enforce such a law.

“It’s very hard to tell when a minor is 18 or not,” Kagawa said.

He added that officers have a hard-enough time enforcing a law prohibiting drivers from talking on cellphones.

The proposal will go before the full County Council on July 29.

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Associated Press