SALEM – Oregon will soon join Utah in banning smoking in cars with minors present, the Statesman Journal reports. The Oregon House and Senate passed a bill that would forbid smoking in a motor vehicle with anyone under age 18 inside.

The measure is now on the governor’s desk. The violation would be a secondary offense, meaning that a police officer could only fine the smoker if the driver has been stopped for a different reason. 

The bill passed despite stiff opposition from lawmakers concerned that it wasn’t harsh enough to be a smoking deterrent. “This bill is just a bill that makes people feel good but really it’s going to have no effect on people’s behavior,” said Rep. Jim Weidner, who wanted more educational efforts than a smoking-in-cars ban.

The law would carry a maximum fine of $250 for the first offense, and a maximum fine of $500 for any subsequent offenses. The bill covers other forms of smoking other than tobacco, such as narcotics and marijuana.

The state legislature is also considering raising the cigarette tax by $1 to $2.18 per pack.