The Arizona legislature is considering a measure that would ban smoking in vehicles where a child age 17 or younger is present, with offenders facing fines of $50 or more per child, Fox News reported Nov. 30.

Rep. David Schapira, the bill's sponsor, said that exposing children in cars to tobacco smoke "is child abuse." Critics say that the proposal encroaches on personal liberties.

California recently passed a similar ban, but only allowed police to enforce it if the driver is pulled over for another offense. The Arizona measure would give police the power to stop drivers for smoking with children as a primary offense.

Louisiana and Arkansas also have recently banned smoking in cars with kids present.