Maui Smoke Free Cars Law Takes Effect July 1

Katie Folio,  Community Coordinator for the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute on Maui

On July 1st, a new law goes into effect in Maui County that makes it illegal to smoke or vape in vehicles with children under the age of 18 present.  The fine for a first time violator is $200.

Advocates with the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute say that there are over 7,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke, and at least 69 of them are known to cause cancer.

The organizations say secondhand smoke in cars is 10 times more concentrated than the level considered unhealthy by the EPA, even with the windows down.

The measure gained passage in February and brings Maui County in line with similar legislation already in place on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu.