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CA: Snuffing out smoking in cars with children
Sacramento Bee ^ | August 14, 2006 | Jim Sanders

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 ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: 4moregovernment; 4thechildren; 4thecommongood; 4thestate; ab379; callegislation; cradletograve; govwatch; nannystate; paulkoretz; pufflist; smokingban
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To: Moonman62
...and that post did not in any way condone nor endorse the smoking of cigarettes by or around children, simply noting that the mindset we share has been "re-educated" by those who pull the strings.
21 posted on 08/14/2006 7:57:07 AM PDT by 50sDad (ST3d: Real Star Trek 3d Chess: http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~abartmes/tactical.htm)
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To: martin_fierro

I knew he looked familiar! lol. Thanks.


22 posted on 08/14/2006 7:57:17 AM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: martin_fierro

Tweddle Dee & Tweddle Dumb.


23 posted on 08/14/2006 7:58:31 AM PDT by Zon (Honesty outlives the lie, spin and deception -- It always has -- It always will.)
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To: Moonman62
Yep, cleaner air.

Breathe free while you can. Next up - taxes on each breath you take of that 'clean air'. Regulations indicating how deeply you can breathe and how often.

All brought to you by your government. After all, they are only there to help.

24 posted on 08/14/2006 7:59:24 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: Southside_Chicago_Republican
The whole article has some more details. I wasn't aware of this little tidbit (further reinforcing a path toward banning):
Supporters of Koretz's bill say two relatively new developments improve prospects for passage:

• In January, the California Air Resources Board became the nation's first air regulator to declare secondhand smoke a toxic air pollutant, on a par with cancer-causing diesel soot, asbestos and lead.


25 posted on 08/14/2006 8:00:22 AM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: SheLion

Shouldn't we be more worried about the fact that those kids obviously aren't in carseats? (Or that a convertable with the top down is far less likely to contain any smoking residue than a sedan with the windows closed?)


26 posted on 08/14/2006 8:00:25 AM PDT by 50sDad (ST3d: Real Star Trek 3d Chess: http://my.ohio.voyager.net/~abartmes/tactical.htm)
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To: calcowgirl

What's next for California, concentration camps?


27 posted on 08/14/2006 8:00:39 AM PDT by desherwood7
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To: 50sDad

I remember having candy cigarettes as a kid. They were among my favorites. They certainly didn't turn me into a smoker.


28 posted on 08/14/2006 8:01:34 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: calcowgirl
In the not too distant future, California will be openly declaring that parents have been legally re-designated as Breeders for the state-owned children.

Conditional custody only will be granted the Breeders, revokable without notice upon violation of any part of the Canon of Liberal Utopia.

29 posted on 08/14/2006 8:02:35 AM PDT by Madame Dufarge
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To: MEGoody
I'm not worried about the slippery slope. Regulating smoking unfortunately is necessary.
30 posted on 08/14/2006 8:03:58 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: desherwood7


BUT, BUT IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


31 posted on 08/14/2006 8:05:25 AM PDT by hondo1951 (i live in happy valley, but i'm not happy)
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To: martin_fierro

This idiot is sooo obviously obese and therefore in danger of having a heart attack that his DL should be revoked immediately!


32 posted on 08/14/2006 8:07:30 AM PDT by Roccus
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To: calcowgirl

I have warned my husband not to smoke in my car but he does anyway.

The smoke gets into the upholstery and the HVAC and it stinks up the car.


33 posted on 08/14/2006 8:08:23 AM PDT by Alouette (Psalms of the Day: 97-103)
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To: hondo1951

Funny. Everyone of our liberties has either been stripped away for the children, or some other special interest group. I keep hearing those jackboots...


34 posted on 08/14/2006 8:09:06 AM PDT by desherwood7
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To: calcowgirl; Just another Joe; CSM; lockjaw02; Publius6961; elkfersupper; nopardons; metesky; ...

Nanny State PING.


This isn't about smoking folks, it goes far deeper than that.


35 posted on 08/14/2006 8:09:17 AM PDT by Gabz (Taxaholism, the disease you elect to have (TY xcamel))
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To: 50sDad

Shouldn't we be more worried about the fact that those kids obviously aren't in carseats? (Or that a convertable with the top down is far less likely to contain any smoking residue than a sedan with the windows closed?)

When I started posting that picture, everyone got a big kick out of it, just like you!  Kids standing up in an open convertible.  No seat belts.  LOL

That's Maine Health Department for you! haha!


36 posted on 08/14/2006 8:09:54 AM PDT by SheLion ("If you're legal, you can fly with the Eagle!" - Michael Anthony)
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To: Moonman62
I'm not worried about the slippery slope.

We know, even though you should be.

37 posted on 08/14/2006 8:10:27 AM PDT by Just another Joe (Warning: FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
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To: MEGoody

"Next up - taxes on each breath you take of that 'clean air'."

It's been that way since the 'Clean Air Act' has been passed.


38 posted on 08/14/2006 8:12:16 AM PDT by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: calcowgirl
"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.

This statement, itself, is the epitome of stupidity.
Most people are too disengaged or apathetic to care where this is leading. Two observations should be sufficient to validate the absurdity of the movement:

When closer to 50% of adults smoked, the incidence of so-called "second-hand smoke" related illnesses was lower. So, empirically, the assertion fails the reality test.

Second, scientific studies carried on by legitimate non-agenda groups have found flat out that there is no connection between second-hand smoke and the illnesses claimed, specially the absurd "50,000 a year deaths". The largest (by far) such study by the U.N. World Health Organization, incidentally initiated to justify a war on second-hand smoke, done by true scientists, forced them to accept the science conclusion: there is no connection. I fact, they may have made a slight beneficial corelation.

The study was quietly shelved, and details have never been released.

Now, who is the stupid one Mr. Dork Koretz?

39 posted on 08/14/2006 8:12:30 AM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Moonman62
Regulating smoking unfortunately is necessary.

Why?

40 posted on 08/14/2006 8:15:02 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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