Did Arizona Make it Illegal to Smoke with a Child in Your Car?

I gave up smoking a long time ago. If vaping had been an option back then, I guarantee I would still be feeding that nicotine habit.

I completely understand the struggle of trying to give up smoking or vaping or any other type of nicotine addiction. It's really hard to quit. In fact, I quit more times than I can count, before finally kicking it for good.

Do People Still Smoke Cigarettes?

While it seems as thought most people have transitioned to vaping over cigarettes, there are still many people who choose to smoke. I get it; it's especially hard to give up during periods of stress or when we associate certain actions with smoking. My favorite times to smoke were while I was talking on the telephone or driving.

Despite that habit, when my kids were young, I didn't smoke in the car. My parents had always done it, but that didn't make it right and I think we know a lot more about the effects of smoking than the previous generations. When my children came along, I would only smoke in the car when they weren't along for the ride.

Secondhand Smoke is Not New Information

We've known for decades how dangerous secondhand smoke is, especially for developing lungs. It's hard to believe anyone, especially a parent still smokes in a vehicle with their kids present.

TruthInititive.com says, "The U.S. Surgeon General concluded in 1986 that secondhand smoke was a major health risk to nonsmokers. In 2014, they estimated that secondhand smoke may cause the premature death of 41,000 adults and more than 400 infants each year."

The Official State Ban on Smoking with Kids in the Car

In spite of decades of data on the hazards of smoking, nicotine use, and secondhand smoke, legislation still doesn't cover everything. Several states have made smoking in a vehicle with children present illegal, and offenders can be fined up to $500 in some states. Is Arizona one of them?

The 9 States Banning Smoking in Vehicles

Here's the list of states who've already made it illegal to smoke in a vehicle where a minor is a passenger:

• Arkansas
• California
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Oregon
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia

Is it Illegal in Arizona?

No, it's not illegal in Arziona. You might be wondering why Arizona isn't on that list.

AZDHS.gov reports that "as far back as 2007 and again in 2010, David Schapira, a member of the Arizona House of Representatives and State Senate until January 2014, attempted but failed to pass bills that would ban smoking in vehicles when minors were among the passengers."

While there currently is no statewide ban on lighting up while a child is riding in a vehicle, health officials are always pushing to institute this type of legislation in an effort to protect our children.

While I understand the difficulty in giving up the habit, I think the health of our kids is far too valuable now that we know the facts about secondhand smoke.

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