Smoking in a car with children would be illegal

Drivers who smoke in cars carrying children would face fines of up to $100, under a bill passed Friday by the Georgia Senate.

Senate Bill 130 would allow the fines as long as any passenger is under 15 years of age. The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Bruce Thompson, R-White, cited data from the American Lung Association that shows second-hand smoke is responsible for more than 150,000 lower respiratory infections in children every year.

It passed on a 37-3 vote and now heads to the state House for consideration.