Bill to guard kids from cigarette smoke fails

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – An attempt to make California the first state to bar smoking in cars carrying young children was rejected Thursday by the Assembly.

The bill’s supporters said children need to be protected from the health risks of secondhand smoke. Critics said the measure amounted to government intrusion.

The bill received 36 votes, five short of the bare majority needed to move the measure to the Senate. Thirty Assembly members voted against it.

The bill authorized fines of up to $116 for smoking in a vehicle carrying a child who was required to be in a child safety seat. That meant children who are younger than 6 or weigh less than 60 pounds.