Calif. Bill Would Ban Smoking in Car with Kids

Reuters ^ | April 28, 2004 | Reuters

[DumpsterDiver]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California could be on its way to becoming the first U.S. state to outlaw smoking in cars or trucks that have children inside.

A bill is being considered in the state Assembly to allow police to stop vehicles if a minor appears to be exposed to smoke from a pipe, cigar, cigarette, or "any other plant."

The bill has the support of the American Lung Association, which points to research showing secondhand smoke can cause cancer, respiratory infections and asthma.

Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, a Democrat and author of the bill, has referred to a survey by state health officials that found 29 percent of youth in the state had been exposed to secondhand smoke in the prior week.

Opponents say the bill, which last week passed in the Transportation Committee and now heads to the Appropriations Committee, not only encroaches on Constitutional freedoms but demonstrates the intentions of some politicians to eventually ban smoking everywhere in California.

"If the ultimate goal is to ban smoking, then have the courage to come up and say that," said Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, a Republican in the Democratic-dominated legislative body.

"Show me good science that shows that secondhand smoke is a problem. I don't know that they've proved that," Mountjoy added.

California in 1995 became the first state in the nation to ban smoking in virtually all workplaces, said Paul Knepprath, the vice president of government relations at the American Lung Association of California.

No other state has instituted a sweeping ban on smoking in cars with children present, Knepprath said.

[Gabz]

Also the waste of paper.

In Delaware over 1,000 pieces of legislation are introduced every session with about 200 or so copies printed of each one. Of that 1000+ maybe 25% are enacted into law.

An unbelievable amount of waste.

[Unicorn]

Just keep on electing these bozos it's your fault.

[Unicorn]

Quit smelling

[Unicorn]

Does anyone know how much money the head of the Nat. Lung Asso makes?

[unixfox]

Boy, with all of the smoking laws that Kalifornia continues to enact they just may need to hire about 100,000 new cops just to keep those violent smokers in line.

Next: Kalifornia considers bill to ban smoking in homes.

The frog continues to boil.

[Gabz]

Personally I don't, but I do believe it is in the 6 figures range.............

[netmilsmom]

>>I've known a lot of heavy pot smokers with the same attitude.<<

Pot is an herb, it's all natural!
That's the crap I've heard.

So what is tobacco?

[Sunshine Sister]

It's not waste as long as you are paying for it don't you know!

[Just another Joe]

The bill has the support of the American Lung Association, which points to research showing secondhand smoke can cause cancer, respiratory infections and asthma.

Still parroting the same old lies.
I just wish they would tell the truth. Just one time!

[DumpsterDiver]

Just keep on electing these bozos it's your fault.

You've got my number, Unicorn. Every election cycle I travel throughout the state. Not only do I vote everywhere, I vote often.

[nmh]

And of course mind altering marijuana is okay ... LOL!

[cinFLA]

A side benefit not mentioned is the number of lives saved via reduced accidents caused by smoking and driving.

[RandallFlagg]

Then, please explain how it is that my Brother and I were both exposed to cig smoke when our Dad was in the car, yet I smoke, and my Brother never even started.

[cinFLA]

Think that was bad? Try having to spend sixty days underwater with smokers. Twelve hours a day sitting between two chain smokers. At least they banned smoking in the bunk area.

[cyborg]

Even with the windows down? wow they would have had heart failure in Europe then. I was in the smoking car with all the chain smoking Italians and there were young kids running around *LOL* You could tell the Americans by the horrified looks on their faces.

[cinFLA]

Then, please explain how it is that my Brother and I were both exposed to cig smoke when our Dad was in the car, yet I smoke, and my Brother never even started.

Your brother is smarter?

[RandallFlagg]

Ummmm, doubtful. He hasn't had a job and has been living with Grandma for the last 20 years (He's 36).

[cinFLA]

And of course mind altering marijuana is okay ... LOL!

A bill is being considered in the state Assembly to allow police to stop vehicles if a minor appears to be exposed to smoke from a pipe, cigar, cigarette, or "any other plant."

[nmh]

A bill is being considered in the state Assembly to allow police to stop vehicles if a minor appears to be exposed to smoke from a pipe, cigar, cigarette, or "any other plant."

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Okay. I missed that. It's not something you'd expect to happen in Calif..

[DumpsterDiver]

or "any other plant"

I'll be the one with the burning begonia hanging out of my mouth.