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.

[cinFLA]

Kiss off. I've never been in an auto accident from smoking or otherwise. And I'd much rather pass a smoker on the HWY any day then a drinker!

In most places, drinking and driving carry heavy penalties.

[SheLion]

If this becomes law it might be worth the investement of of a couple of child car seats and a couple of little dummies.

I can see it now. haha!

[headsonpikes]

I have never tried one.

Go directly to the sharpened stake.

Satisfaction guaranteed.(for the rest of us, in any event)

[Just another Joe]

?Smoking accidents may be the number one cause of home fires and deaths.

Yeh, and your aunt MAY be your uncle in disguise.
I guess we'll never know.

[SheLion]

Time to go change your depends dude.

Right on!

No one likes her here. Why does she stick around?

[SheLion]

For someone of your caliber, this is no small issue.

You guys crack me up. I needed a good laugh today!!

[cinFLA]

Columbia U Safe Holiday Hints (But I just can't understand why one would put his cigarettes behind pillows and cushions???)

Smoking

Use an ashtray that's large, deep and will not tip over.

Empty ashtrays often. Wet ashtray contents before dumping them.

After a party, check all surface areas for smoldering cigarette butts - even behind pillows and cushions.

[SheLion]

Yeah, I can see Churchill. Someone else suggested Rush Limbaugh to me .....

I remember that. He's still cute. heh!

[headsonpikes]

I'm glad someone appreciates it!

[SheLion]

My next stop will be this website to purchase a corpse. I plan on sticking a cigarette in its mouth and letting him ride shotgun! And, of course, baby'll complete our happy smoking family!

Oh my GOD that is SO SICK!

[Wolfie]

Sounds like a good business opportunity.

Introducing the new Kiddie Kar Snorkel!

[Captain Peter Blood]

How will you enforce a law like this?
I love when Liberals and sometimes Conservatives come up with the most inane idiocy known to man to pass into law and somehow expect it to be enforced.
This is akin to mandatory wearing of seat-belts, talking on your cell phone, etc.. There are not enough cops to ride around and enforce this stuff and for the life of me I wonder why a little common sense is not used, but I forget we are dealing with low life politicians trying to get elected over and over again.

[hattend]

"Yeah, I don't smoke in the car with my kids. But watch these little buggers fly when I slam on the brakes."

[SheLion]

Yeh, and your aunt MAY be your uncle in disguise. I guess we'll never know.

That's too easy!

I'm getting a lot of use out of my "crazy laugh" today.  Just what I needed!

[SheLion]

Introducing the new Kiddie Kar Snorkel!

HaHaaaaaaaaa!

[SheLion]

"Yeah, I don't smoke in the car with my kids. But watch these little buggers fly when I slam on the brakes."

I'm CRYING here. HaaaHaaaaaaaaaa

Did you notice these kiddies aren't "buckled" up????? heh!

[Gabz]

LOL!!! Too funny.

[SheLion]

Nice picture, too. Looks like a convertible with no rollover protection filled with kids and an adult none of whom are wearing a seatbelt.

Yep! How sweet it is. LOL!

[cinFLA]

I guess we'll never know.

I guess we will know! Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fire.htm

[Just another Joe]

Hey, YOU'RE the one that said "may be" not me.

Did I touch a sore spot? Awwwwwww...