Smoking ban in cars

[one...two...tree 2,762]

FYI - There is no such thing as a right to smoke.

There's no such thing as a right to stink up the air with your vehicle either and yet nobody is talking about the fcuking pollution that's created through them tailpipes. And just that part of the pollution by combustion engines which is created needlessly in a day is much worse, I'd think, then what cigarette smokers are ever going to release into the atmosphere over the course of a decade.

Don't get me wrong: I gave up on them cigarettes almost two years ago after having been hooked on them for the better part of 20 years. I like the fact that the vast majority of restaurants here in FL are non-smoking now. I can appreciate (and have even when I was on the other side) the public efforts to ban smoking from public places. But every now and then, I think we're taking it just a step too far.

I have a stepson, who years ago, spent the day with his aunt, who smoked. He has asthma but at the time was too young to make the connection that cigarette smoke would aggravate his asthma, let alone speak up to an adult. She was a distant relative who didn't know him well and we didn't know she was chain smoker. Anyhow, it ended up in the hospital and I'll never forget the angry look on the Pediatrician's face as he scolded me for letting an adult drive him around in a smoke filled car.

The air inside a car is not well ventilated and many people have their A/C's set to recycle the air. I don't think it's going too far to make it law that when you have children in your car, you don't smoke in it.

Edited January 19, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Robor007 0]

I own my car and the air in it... if I choose to smoke in my car that is my choice.. whould I do it with my Grandchildren in the car..... NO

On that happy note I am off to stand outside my office building (in the freezing cold) in the designated smoking space and smoke...

Kez

The problem is not everyone has the common sense and consideration that you have. That is the basis of a law like this. I remember back just after high school I was at my girlfriends Christmas party. At the party one of her obviously pregnant coworkers was both drinking and smoking. It sickens me to see such irresponsibly. I have good friends who spent $25K+ in an attempt to conceive and some POS 'Whiskey Tango'... I better stop that line now.

I will say this about second hand smoke. It's NOT a myth... When I married my (now) ex-wife in 2000 she was living with her mother who smoked in the house. My ex was diagnosed with asthma and had to frequently use a 'puffer' which helped her breath but gave her the shakes something fierce. When we got married she moved out of the house and shortly after that her asthma disappeared and she's never had to use a puffer again. I don't think it's a coincidence.

[Robor007 0]

A privilege is not a right, though.

When I see people driving their gaz guzzlers to work, I'm sorry, there's needless pollution. There's no need to burn a gallon of gas every 10 - 15 miles to get a peron from one point to another. That's what we're doing on America's streets, however. And that is needless pollution any way you slice it.

You are correct. When I was writing that post I backspaced over 'right' and replaced it with 'privilege'.

I'm almost militant in my hatred of SUV's so you're preaching to the choir here. My favorite is the H2's and H3's. I live in FL and there's absolutely no purpose for 99% of them. I don't think I've ever seen a Hummer hauling something and I doubt they're going off road given the price tag. What useless vehicles.

[DelcoCouple 1]

.....

FYI - There is no such thing as a right to smoke.

There is a common law right to do anything that is not illegal - ergo there IS a right to smoke

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A privilege is not a right, though.

When I see people driving their gaz guzzlers to work, I'm sorry, there's needless pollution. There's no need to burn a gallon of gas every 10 - 15 miles to get a peron from one point to another. That's what we're doing on America's streets, however. And that is needless pollution any way you slice it.

You are correct. When I was writing that post I backspaced over 'right' and replaced it with 'privilege'.

I'm almost militant in my hatred of SUV's so you're preaching to the choir here. My favorite is the H2's and H3's. I live in FL and there's absolutely no purpose for 99% of them. I don't think I've ever seen a Hummer hauling something and I doubt they're going off road given the price tag. What useless vehicles.

I live just across the bay so I know what you're talking about. The amount of recreational trucks and SUV's around here is absolutely ridiculous. As is the wealth of many residents in this here area. They're driving these monsters because only they can...

[Robor007 0]

.....

FYI - There is no such thing as a right to smoke.

There is a common law right to do anything that is not illegal - ergo there IS a right to smoke

In appropriate places. It is legal to drink beer but I'm not allowed to drink a beer while driving or walking through the grocery store. Smoking is similar in that it is a legal product but also banned in many situations/places. If it's banned in cars with children it will only be an additional situation.

[Marilyn. 340]

the law won't ban people from smoking in their cars, it just bans people from smoking in their cars if their are children in the car...

[Robor007 0]

I live just across the bay so I know what you're talking about. The amount of recreational trucks and SUV's around here is absolutely ridiculous. As is the wealth of many residents in this here area. They're driving these monsters because only they can...

Ah, I see you're in Tampa. Small world... Hey neighbor!

I drive a small car (Volkswagon GTI) and it really sucks anymore. All of these SUV's on the road make it difficult to drive if you're not in one. If it's not the SUV in front of you that you can't see around/through it's the one behind you at night with lights that hit right in the rear view and side mirrors. Add to that the height and weight of these huge vehicles puts people in 'normal' cars at a disadvantage in a wreck. Of course, the SUV driving crowd's answer to that is for me to get a bigger/higher car.

We're getting sidetracked in this thread though. Maybe we should start an anti-SUV thread? Unfortunately, I think (given the % on the road) we'd be outnumbered...

[Sinergy 3]

I agree, i have the right to smoke, in my car, in my house, in my toilet. i CHOOSE not to smoke in the house, and if the kids are in the car i choose not to smoke in the car.

I dont smoke in the car if my kids are in the car with me. and ive never smoked in the house. now, like someone else said, im going to go smoke outside for my break even tho it is 69 degrees here and not freezing

[KiKi 0]

Good.

I absolutley HATE it when I see people smoking in their cars with kids in there....the first thing I think is "White Trash".

It SHOULD be illegal to expose kids to second hand smoke, they don't have a choice in the matter like smokers do...and YES I was a smoker but NEVER smnoked around my kids.

[Yodrak 7]

Robor,

I enjoyed the short that follows the animated movie 'Cars', in which the old CJ-type Jeep is training SUVs in off-roading, and the Hummer is reluctant to leave the road complaining that its' wheels will get dirty.

Yodrak

..... I don't think I've ever seen a Hummer hauling something and I doubt they're going off road given the price tag. What useless vehicles.

[William33 110]

Huh? The smoker is getting primary smoke and second hand smoke. How is second hand smoke more harmful to the non-smoker? Harmful, yes. More harmful, I don't see how.

By the way, I agree with not smoking around children. But, a new law? There are too many laws as it is, half of which are ignored.

The problem is the second-hand smoke, which is more harmful to the non-smokers than to the smoker. The studies done on the harmful consequences of those exposed to second-hand smoke is staggering. How do you protect the rights of young children whose parents smoke?

[rebeccajo 14]

Let me see....

You buy and pay for a car or house with money YOU have earned and have already been taxed on. By the government. Then the government starts telling you (outside of a felony or misdemeanor) what you can do inside that car or house.

Too far-reaching if you ask me.

[Ban Hammer 14,569]

Let me see....

You buy and pay for a car or house with money YOU have earned and have already been taxed on. By the government. Then the government starts telling you (outside of a felony or misdemeanor) what you can do inside that car or house.

Too far-reaching if you ask me.

agreed

[Henia 11]

I've worked in a couple of bars in Germany (smoking in bars and restaurants still widely accepted) and it almost made me puke seeing young mothers holding their new born babies in their one arm smoking a cigarette with the other hand.

In the bar? Woa... I think in other parts of the World smoking is still "cool" and not many people worry about its effects. (unfortunately)