LANSING, MI -- A Michigan lawmaker wants to protect kids by taking the state's smoking ban on the road.

State Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, on Wednesday announced legislation that would make it a $500 fine to smoke a tobacco product inside a motor vehicle that is carrying anyone under the age of 18 years old.

"We all know the trouble that second-hand smoke creates," said Singh. "We've done a lot throughout the state to ban smoking in restaurants and other places, but I'm really concerned that when you have children in a vehicle, they don't have a say if their parents smoke.

"This to me is common-sense legislation. Most parents already abide by this, but for those who don't, we want to discourage them."

The legislation calls for a one-year grace period to allow the public to become accustomed to the change before they could be hit with a fine.

Singh said the bill, which will be introduced officially on Thursday, would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to make smoking in the presence of a minor a primary offense, meaning an officer could pull over a motorist if they spot a violation.

Six states have similar laws designed to prevent smoking in cars when children of various ages are present, according to the nonprofit American for Nonsmokers' Rights organization, which promotes similar legislation around the country.

Maine banned smoking in cars carrying kids under 16 years old back in 2008. Five year later, reports suggest the law has not been heavily enforced, but supporters say it has changed behaviors.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.