Prattville Police Department
Along with the popular new cell phone law, several other Acts were passed in the most recent Alabama legislative session that will become effective over the next month or so, which the PPD would like to make everyone aware of. With that in mind, we bring you the newest installment of “Recent laws passed in Alabama that some people on the Internet aren’t going to like” (insert booming and echoing announcer voice).
Act 2023-93: Unlawful to Smoke Tobacco Product or Vape in Enclosed Motor Vehicle When Child Under 14 Present
Effective Aug. 1 this year, it will be “unlawful for a person to smoke a tobacco product or vape in an enclosed motor vehicle when a child 14 years of age or younger is present in the enclosed motor vehicle. This applies to all motor vehicles and whether the motor vehicle is in motion or at rest, or whether the windows of the motor vehicle are open or closed”. This new violation can only be charged as a secondary violation, following the lawful stop of a motor vehicle based on probable cause of a separate violation of law. Violation of this section is punishable by a fine not exceeding $100 for each violation (citation). Act is available at https://arc-sos.state.al.us/ucp/L1249443.AI1.pdf
In short, don’t smoke or vape (including e-liquids that don’t have nicotine) in your vehicle with kids inside it. We all know what smoke from cigarettes and other burnable items (wink) can do to our lungs, you’d be amazed at what they’ve found in vape “smoke” that’s getting in there too (https://www.lung.org/…/e-cigare…/whats-in-an-e-cigarette), so why subject your kids to it. (Parents, there’s a whole other conversation about vapes and kids that needs to be had as well…maybe for another day…)
Oh, and this doesn’t include smoking controlled substances around kids…that could possibly land you a felony charge (§26-15-3.2, Chemical Endangerment of a Child).
As always, call us if you should need us.
