Posted on 08/14/2006 7:32:01 AM PDT by calcowgirl
Targeting a new frontier in the fight against smoking, California lawmakers may ban motorists from lighting up near young passengers.
The measure would mark the first time that Californians would be prohibited from smoking legal tobacco products on private property not open to the public or employees.
No state had passed such a vehicle smoking ban until this year, when Arkansas and Louisiana set a precedent by barring the practice when passengers are under 6 or 13, respectively.
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, a West Hollywood Democrat who proposed California's ban, Assembly Bill 379, said some parents don't seem to know -- or care -- about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
"If you're too stupid to recognize that on your own, then we have to pass a law to tell you, 'Don't be an idiot, don't smoke with your small kid in the car with you,' " Koretz said.
AB 379 makes no exception for vehicles whose windows are open to increase ventilation. It applies to motorists whose passengers are younger than 6 or lighter than 60 pounds.
Violators would be subject to a base fine of up to $100, which could rise to more than $350 through penalty assessments for courts, jails, trauma centers and other programs.
Opponents call AB 379 another example of "nanny government" in which lawmakers intrude into private lives or property rights.
"I think we try to micromanage people's lives to an extent that's getting ridiculous, whether it's health or dietary or lifestyle decisions," said Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, D-Pittsburg.
Canciamilla predicted that if AB 379 succeeds in limiting smoking in vehicles, other private property will be targeted next.
"The argument would be the same: Why would you let someone smoke in a car with children present? Then, why in an apartment? Or a house?"
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Good Lord, I'd be honored if you did.
You said: As long as you crack the window and smoke while moving every bit of it goes out the window.
***
You are joking, right?
Most excellent.
I believe Randall has coined the term "Tobaccophobes", a very useful addition to the lexicon.
Somehow the smoke just magically gets sucked out the window! Imagine that..if you dont believe me then try it. Its what most smokers do even if they are driving alone. The drawback is having to turn the AC off for it to work well.
Why, this has been exactly my experience too.
I suppose it's possible we own the only two vehicles in the world that have special smoke-sucking windows, but somehow that seems a stretch.
ROFL.
Bring back thee fly window!
It must be noted that for this secret technique to work, one must be going 20-30mph or more...best used on the highway. Otherwise, you can even insert your hand out the window while holding the cig until you get your speed up again.
If this didnt work my wife would have surely let me know by now!
If you EVER smoked or THOUGHT about smoking then your DEATH is "smoking related" even if you died at 105 years old and had quit smoking when you were 40.
Somewhere in my massive "smoking nazi related files" I read that.....or at least something very similar to that.
Thanks! ;*)
Shhhh! I'm sure she's listening.
Add my car to list, along with my husband's truck........and the van of my non-smoking best friend, who permits smoking in her vehicle.
Well, heck! Let's ban perfume and after-shave, too!
Some people just wear too much and it is very offensive in the workplace.
They're too stupid to behave properly so we must control them.
It probably equates to some level of toxic inhalation for children, too.
There oughta be a law, I tell ya! For the children! /s
So until he can prove scientifically, without resort to any cooked studies, that there is in fact such a danger, he will refrain from passing the law? And if there is any activity more dangerous per capita, like bathing, gay sex, or using swimming pools, he promises not to pass a law on this issue till those other things are criminalized? Is that a fair statement of his position?
I am in favor of banning all smoking and all stinky air fresheners FROM MY OWN FREAKING CAR. Oh yeah, and farting too.
Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Scheming Tyrant.
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