New York county bans smoking in cars with kids

County legislators in Buffalo have banned smoking tobacco products in a car with anyone 17 or younger present in the vehicle.

The new Erie County law, which was passed unanimously Wednesday, also bans smoking in and around bus shelters. WIVB-TV reports the law also prohibits any store with a pharmacy from selling tobacco products.

Under the new legislation, e-cigarettes, vapes, and other electronic smoking devices are classified as tobacco products.

The public health measure makes it illegal to:

– Smoke in a vehicle with anyone under 18-years-old.
– Ban the sale of tobacco or nicotine-containing products in pharmacies and other healthcare institutions.
– Ban smoking in or close to bus shelters and public areas near them.

Penalties for smoking in vehicles with children include a fine of $50 for a first offense, then $100 fine and a $150 fine for second and third offenses, respectively.

The penalty for pharmacies selling tobacco products is a minimum $300 civil penalty, and up to $1,000 for a first time violation.