Anti-smokers raise ante in California

WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- Lawmakers in California are considering a proposal to make it illegal to light up in a private car if children are present.

The legislation, which is being proposed by Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, D-Los Angeles, would make California the first state in the nation to permit police to cite motorists for smoking a pipe, cigar or cigarette in a car with children under 19 present.

Supporters of Firebaugh's bill, the Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday, say it is a crucial step forward in the campaign to protect children from the allegedly damaging effects of second-hand smoke.

"It just seemed to me that it was one effective, intelligent way to reduce the risk to kids," said Firebaugh, who argues that asthma is common among children in his home district in southeast Los Angeles.