Smoking in Cars with Children Illegal Starting October 1, 2016: Hoax

Story:

Smoking in Cars with Children Illegal Starting October 1, 2016.

Analysis:

A story shared widely on social media sites states that Smoking in Cars with Children will become Illegal starting October 1, 2016. No, the claim as such is not a fact.

Origin of Story

The story in question originated from an article on Now8News website now8news.com published with the same title. According to it, starting October 1, 2016, it will be illegal to smoke in a car or other vehicles, with anyone under the age of 18. It is said that the change in law is meant to protect children and young people from the dangers of secondhand smoke. It is also said that the law applies to every driver, including those aged 17 and those with a driving permit, and in case of breaking the law, both the driver and the smoker in the car could be fined as much as $80. However, there is no mention in the article as to where the smoking ban is going to take place. As a matter of fact, the Now8News, which appears like a local news source, does not have any credible about information and has been publishing many hoax stories, so it is certainly a fake news website. Moreover, the article is actually a republication of their previous fake story with the year updated from 2015 to 2016.

Screenshot of article on Now8News website

Smoking Ban When Children and Minors are Around

Smoking ban in private vehicles like cars when children and minors are around has been in place since some years in some states and countries. For example, it is illegal to smoke in cars with children in some states of United States and countries like England and Wales. In fact, the basis for the aforementioned Now8News article appears to be an October 2015 report of a vehicle smoking ban that took place in England and Wales. As for the health concerns, studies have shown that young children are most affected by secondhand smoke, and it is a welcome sign that more and more countries are planning to enact such smoking bans.

To conclude, it is already illegal to smoke in cars with children and minor passengers in some places of United States and other countries, but the report that such a widespread ban is going to come into effect from October 1st 2016 is a hoax.