YOUTH & TOBACCO NEWS - California Governor Signs Bills into Law Prohibiting Free Tobacco Offers, Smoking in Cars Carrying Children

October 16 , 2007

Last week, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two tobacco-related bills into law; one that that prohibits smoking in a car carrying someone 17 years old or younger, and a second prohibiting tobacco companies from distributing free samples or coupons for free tobacco products.  The first bill allows drivers or passengers to be fined $100 for smoking in a car with a minor.  The Harvard School of Public Health published a 2006 finding that secondhand smoke in cars can be 10 times as dangerous as in the home.  The latter bill amends an existing law in California that prohibits tobacco giveaways in public places by including coupons, gift certificates, gift cards, credits and proof-of-purchase in the definition of ‘non-sale distribution’ of tobacco products.  Additionally, the bill requires tobacco companies that engage in non-sale distribution by mail to verify that the recipient is 18 years of age or older.

For more on this story from the California Chronicle, click here and here.

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