Erie County Bans Smoking In Cars With Children Inside

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Smoking is now banned inside cars with kids in a western New York county, adding to similar prohibitions in a couple of other places in the state.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz signed the Public Health Protection Act on Friday.

Besides prohibiting smoking in cars carrying people under 18 years old, the law also bans smoking at bus shelters and bars pharmacies from selling tobacco products.

Drugstores have until the end of February to rid the shelves of tobacco and nicotine products.

Violators will be given warnings for the first three months, before facing fines of $50 or more.

Smoking in cars with kids is banned in eight states, including Arkansas, Louisiana and California. In New York, it's banned in the city of Schenectady and in Rockland County.