West Virginia could become the 12th state to ban smoking in cars with kids present

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia, which has the highest rate of adult cigarette use in the nation, could become the 12th state to ban smoking in vehicles with children present under a bill that won final legislative passage Thursday.

The Republican-dominated House of Delegates passed the bill on a 66-33 vote without debate. It now goes to Republican Gov. Jim Justice, who has not indicated whether he would sign the bill. The GOP-supermajority Senate approved the bill last month.

Violators could be fined up to $25, but only if they’re pulled over for another offense. Smoking with children present cannot be the main reason a driver is stopped.

The legislation narrowly made it through the House finance committee earlier in the week after Republican Del. John Hardy called it “just another big government bill.”

“The next step is your home. The next step may be your business. Where are we moving this to?” Hardy said. “This is the most un-Republican bill that I’ve ever seen in my life.”

About 22% of West Virginia smoked in 2021, the latest year available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

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