No, of course you aren't!
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 ...
Nanny staters of all parties should be taken out and shot, including the a--holes who promote such BS as being for "the common good" and "public health."
In case I didn't get my point across: DIE DIE Nanny Staters!
Thank you for continuing to point this out!
This is not about smoking around kids, this is about when is it over the line when the state dictates to you what you can and cannot do in and around your own property. The last I heard cigarettes are a legal substance. Thank God I am leaving this once beautiful state of California. I am out of here!!! I cannot take it anymore. This is a slippery slope. What is next I wonder?
The World Health Organization did a major study on this and found that second hand smoke while annoying, did not cause any significant lasting damage to non smokers.
Could you be more specific?
You forgot the operative word.
They're already working on that one, too:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1669702/posts
Give 'em time.........
Do you have the same feeling that I do?
That this particular piece of literature is a "must read" to some folks?
It probably ranks right up there with that little manifesto written by that guy marx.
No, of course you aren't!
Yes, it gives them encouragement and guidance.
Just as an aside and totally unrelated to the subject, I used to know a woman whose boyfriend worked for Dean Witter (I believe). His job was giving motivational talks to the employees. He used to watch films of Hitler's speeches for tips on speaking to and influencing large crowds.
I'm serious.
Yes, most of us are like that. I try to stand downwind of non-smokers. I refrain from smoking in my own car when I have non-smokers in the car. I try not to litter places up with my butts. My one bad habit, smoking-wise, is tossing the butts out the window when driving. I can't get too worried about it, though, as my butts are insignificant compared to the coffee cups, fast food packaging and all and sundry other rubbish that litters the sides of the road around here. I do make sure there isn't a motorcycle behind me when I throw them out, though.
Having been in the "foster care" system as a child, I can tell you unequivocally, cigarette smoking was not even on my list of things to fear.
What a moron.
I sometimes think guys like him like to make up these laws, to get revenge on the people who beat them up in high school. And, to help keep that horrible feeling of insecurity at bay.
I can see him now:
WHO'S GOT THE POWER!!!!!! I say, WHO's GOT THE POWER????
(as the ho-ho icing dribbles down the front of his suit...)
Oh, I have no doubt.
Though I suppose there are some here who'd forgive her abusive child molesting foster "parents" as long as they didn't smoke.
I know, I have occassionally run into people like that.
We were at a carnival last month and a friend of mine hollered down from the other end of the table where we were all grabbing a bit to eat "Hey, Gabz, let me bum a cigarette"........my friend doesn't smoke, so I assumed it was for someone she was talking to and had the pack passed down to her. she pulled one out and asked around for a light. The guy that was sitting next to her jumped up from the bench so fast he nearly toppled the picnic table.
My friend had gotten tired of his whining about people smoking and did it just to get rid of him....LOL
Alas, there are many here at FR that support it.
Having sex with your spouse is also legal, but not in public.
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