LI pols push smoking ban in cars with kids

Saying that secondhand smoke in automobiles poses a high risk to children, two Democratic county legislators are calling for a smoking ban in vehicles traveling in Nassau with passengers younger than 18.

Tuesday, legislators Judy Jacobs of Woodbury and Judi Bosworth of Great Neck said mountains of evidence show secondhand smoke in the limited confines of a vehicle can lead to such diseases as asthma, bronchitis and cancer, especially in children.

"We as adults must raise awareness to protect the most vulnerable among us," Jacobs said at a news conference with Bosworth and several health experts at the County Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola.

The problem the legislators face, the two said, is that Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) has refused to put the proposal they filed Nov. 18 on the legislative calendar.

"I sincerely hope you'll help Judy Jacobs and me to advocate to put this law on the Nassau County Legislature's calendar," Bosworth said.

Schmitt said it's too early for the Legislature to weigh in on the issue.

"This legislation is presently being considered statewide," Schmitt said. "And we will wait for Albany's determination before we enact a local version, which may be costly and difficult to enforce."

Katie Grilli-Robles, spokeswoman for Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, declined to comment.

At the news conference, the two legislators had plenty of support for their bill.

Among the backers were various doctors, representatives of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Tobacco Action Coalition, The LI Perinatal Forum, the American Cancer Society, the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse, the Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition and Great Neck Village Mayor Ralph Kreitzman.

"This proposal is evidence-based and strongly supported in medical science and pediatric literature. Such smoke in cars is 50 to 110 times the secondhand smoke in the open environment," said Dr. Shetal Shah, an assistant professor of neonatal medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

The proposed law by the Democrats would impose a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation. The state's proposal would have a fine of no more than $100 and involve children younger than 14.