Representative Moolenaar,
I would like to respond to House Bill 5407, which would make it a traffic violation to use lit tobacco products in a motor vehicle containing minors.
This bill is ill-conceived on many fronts, the most important being that a causal connection hasn't even been established between smoking in motor vehicles and the problems you listed, such as asthma. Do asthmatic children primarily live in homes with smoking parents? Does exposure or non-exposure in the car affect respiratory risk one way or the other? Or should parents be banned from ever smoking in any enclosed area containing children? Overall, child respiratory ailments are increasing--yet smoking is on the decline. What explains this phenomenon, and how does that reflect on your claim that smoking in vehicles is the most significant causal factor? (If you thought it weren't the most significant risk factor, then presumably you would instead be introducing legislation to address THAT factor, whatever it might be.)
In short, your bill is well calculated to make political use of purely emotional appeals, such as sick children, but shows no great likelihood of benefitting sick children in the slightest. If any benefit accrues from this legislation, it will be a political benefit to yourself personally, not a health benefit to the children of Michigan. A cynic might suggest that such was your original intent, but I make no assumptions about your motives. I'm sure you're acting on all the best intentions.
Meanwhile, this measure imposes burdens on citizens, and restricts freedom, without achieving the stated goal. It would seem quite surprising for a Republican to advance an ineffective, freedom-encroaching measure, in the name of "the children". Isn't that more in the Democrats' bailiwick?
I urge you to reconsider. Make a bold demand for a study to determine the impact of automotive smoke on children, if you wish, to avoid the appearance of changing your basic position. Meanwhile, withdraw the bill. HB 5407 is a credit to nobody, least of all your worthy self.
Most excellent and powerful letter. I look forward to finding out if you receive a response.