HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Officials in one Henry County town want to ban smoking and driving if there’s a child in the car.
Some members of Stockbridge City Council say they want to protect children from what they call irresponsible parents.
Resident Lawrence Harmon says smoking is a bad habit that he’d like to break.
"But I don't smoke with my kids in the car,” Harmon said.
Some at Stockbridge City Hall in Henry County want to make that mandatory.
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"I drive around and I see people getting out of their cars that are packed with smoke, and then they go around the back of the car and let a kid out,” City Councilman John Blount said.
Blount wants to fine people up to $500 to help protect children from second hand smoke that can set off a variety of diseases.
"If we can be the voice of kids that are endangered by irresponsible parents, I think we should step up and move,” Blount said.
Blount says the rules would cover children 15 years of age and younger inside the city limits. Police would enforce it.
It’s something resident Elaine Weldon says she can support.
"I am a smoker. I do have small grandchildren, but I'd never smoke in the car with them,” Weldon said.
A similar proposal in the Georgia Legislature did not pass. Stockbridge City Council will vote on the ordinance Jan. 9.