FRANKLYWNOW - Rockland bans lighting up with kids in the car

County Executive Scott Vanderhoef signed legislation Friday that bans smoking in cars when children are present.

The new law will go into effect within a month. People caught lighting up in the car with anyone under the age of 18 can be ticketed. Vanderhoef admitted enforcing the law could be difficult, but he said that doesn't change his reasoning behind it. Ultimately, he said the goal is to increase public awareness.

Those against the bill believe it infringes on personal rights. Many claim they would never smoke around children and they don?t need the government to tell them that.

The county executive answered criticism by saying the law is not about personal lives of people, but about children?s lives. Vanderhoef said the sooner people realize how dangerous secondhand smoke can be to young lungs in enclosed spaces, the better off society will be.