TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of SB 7 (Oropeza) - smoking in cars with kids; and request City Manager to communicate the City Council's support of SB 7.
DISCUSSION
State Senate Bill 7 (SB7) as introduced by State Senator Jenny Oropeza would restrict smoking in vehicles when a minor under the age of 18 is a passenger, will also apply to cars parked on private property and impose fines of at least $100. Should this bill be signed into law it will be added to the California's Driving Handbook.
According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke is responsible for as many as 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in children less than 18 months of age, resulting in up to 15,000 hospitalizations annually. It's often cited in cases of sudden infant death syndrome, ear infection and asthma flare-ups - the latter a local scourge that's well established already, thanks to our dirty air.
Additionally, studies show that the average particulate concentration in vehicles is up to 10 times greater than in the average particulate concentrations found in the homes of smokers. Senator Oropeza's legislation seeks to protect children from these increased risk factors.
Supporters of SB 7 include the American Lung Association of California, the American Heart Association of California, The American Cancer Society, the Long Beach Press-Telegram and many others.
I am asking that we follow the guidelines of our 2007 adopted State Legislative Agenda in seeking to support legislation that would increase the level of safety and survival of our youth and support SB 7 by Senator Oropeza.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMEMBER TONIA REYES URANGA, SEVENTH DISTRICT