A new Alabama law went into effect Aug. 1 that prohibits smoking cigarettes or vaping in a vehicle when children 14 years and younger are passengers in the car.

This newly enacted bill aims to keep children safe from the effects that secondhand smoke can cause and decrease the number of people who are smoking inside enclosed spaces. House Bill 3 was created by state Rep. Rolanda Hollis, a Democrat from Birmingham who has been quoted in other news reports as having pushed for it for six years.

Dr. Wes Stubblefield, district medical officer at the Alabama Department of Public Health, said secondhand smoke can cause infections and other health problems.

“Both of these products contain chemicals that are harmful to children,” Stubblefield said. “Children who are around cigarette smoke are more likely to have ear infections, respiratory infections, which of course lead to things such as antibiotics and surgeries.”

He said studies of exhaled vapor from vapes have not been studied as well due to these devices not being around for a long period of time but that e-cigarettes can contain cancer-causing chemicals.

“Children are specifically susceptible to this because of their higher respiratory rate and their smaller body size,” he said.

Stubblefield added that he advocates for people keeping their homes, vehicles and other enclosed spaces free from smoke for the benefit of the children.

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at high risk of pneumonia and bronchitis, wheezing, coughing shortness of breath, middle ear disease, ear infections and operations to put in ear tubes, slowed lung growth and more frequent and severe asthma attacks.

Rolling down windows does not protect the children, according to Stubblefield.
Smoking or vaping in a vehicle with children is now considered a secondary violation under this law. If a driver is pulled over for another reason and a child is in the vehicle, the driver will be responsible for paying a fine of up to $100.