By a 2-1 margin, the Maine House of Representatives voted to approve a ban on smoking in cars when riding with children under age 16, the Bangor News reported March 26.

Based on a Bangor city ordinance, the statewide law would allow police to pull over vehicles and ticket drivers for smoking with children present. If approved by the Senate, the measure would take effect Sept. 1; for the first year, violators would receive a written warning, but after that a $50 fine would be assessed.

The cutoff age for the bill was lowered from 18 to 16 to garner enough legislative support for passage in the House.