Ohio Senate Considers Limiting Smoking in Cars

WKRD ^ | 02/02/2012 | WKRD

[TSgt]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A bill in the Ohio Senate would ban smoking in cars if children under 6 are on board.

The measure's sponsor says the idea is to safeguard youngsters from secondhand smoke. Democratic Sen. Charleta Tavares of Columbus testified Wednesday at a hearing on her bill and said smoke inside cars is especially dangerous because the space makes the smoke much more concentrated.

Multiple news outlets report that Senate Highways and Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Patton questioned how law enforcers would be able to spot that a child is younger than 6, in order to enforce the law. Another Republican, Sen. Frank LaRose, warned that critics are likely to say the proposal infringes on personal freedom.

Tavares says several other states have similar car smoking bans.

[Bronzy]

Or the 12" X 20" urine soaked and feces smeared disposable diaper.

[jmax]

She looks like a Michael Jackson wannabe.

[Sloth]

I think a decent argument could be made that drivers should not be handling objects that are on fire while driving on public roads, as a simple safety issue.

The secondhand smoke thing is stupid, however.

[traditional1]

Yeah; especially when that diaper lands on your windshield when you're behind that mini-van!

LOL

[Americanexpat]

I don’t smoke anymore but if I did and wanted to smoke in my car I would and I do not give a F___ about the law. I am really tired of all this government BS.

[Whenifhow]

Ohio Ping!

[TSgt]

You don't live near me....I don't discard my smokes out the window; that's what ashtrays are for.

You are the exception to the rule.

[bboop]

I have never smoked, but darn if this doesn’t make me want to light up! Light bulbs, market bags, smoking inside your OWN car — by cracky, you’d think they were dictators. You’d think THEY thought they were dictators. We the People need to remind those who work for us - again - of OUR rights.

[bboop]

I have never smoked, but darn if this doesn’t make me want to light up! Light bulbs, market bags, smoking inside your OWN car — by cracky, you’d think they were dictators. You’d think THEY thought they were dictators. We the People need to remind those who work for us - again - of OUR rights.

[xzins]

As an Ohio resident, my memory says we have a republican senate. This will be informative.

I don’t need a daddy to tell me how much water to flush, what lightbulb to buy, and when I can smoke.

If concerned citizens want to get the data out, and if smart people heed it, and if dumb people don’t, then such is life, but freedom is then preserved.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...smoke inside cars is especially dangerous because the space makes the smoke much more concentrated...

Just how does this statist back up that claim? Cars in Ohio do not have windows? And why limit the tyranny to kids 6 and under?

[LaineyDee]

OTOH, 1/4"x1" cigarette butts disfigure the landscape a lot less than an 8"x3" coffee cup, or a 6"x6" Big Mac wrapper and box......

Took the words right out of my mouth. :)

[ipreferlogic]

Warning bells when they claim that it is FOR THE CHILDREN. World Health Organization study regarding second hand smoke states: The only statistically significant number was a decrease in the risk of lung cancer among the children of smokers. DaveHitt.com/facts/who has an excellent breakdown of findings.

[SgtHooper]

I puff on ceegars, and never do that. To see cigarette smokers do that really p..sses me off!!

[SgtHooper]

“...cigarette butts disfigure the landscape a lot less than...”

True, but they still do. And it’s just being a slob to toss anything on the ground rather than the trash can.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Ohio pings..

[LaineyDee]

And it’s just being a slob to toss anything on the ground rather than the trash can.

I agree...which is why I use an ashtray.

[chrisser]

And the smoker who doesn't throw his butts to the ground is the exception, rather than the rule. I've witnessed every smoker I've ever known throw a butt down

I'm a former smoker. Possibly more considerate than most.

But consider in the last several years, public ashtrays all but disappeared. Putting a cigarette butt in an outdoor trash receptacle is a dangerous practice - it could easily start a fire. You can't bring the butts inside anymore to dispose of them - the smoke nazis would raise holy hell from the smell.

Sadly, the only option is to toss them on the ground.

For most smokers, the only place they can smoke without offending someone, somewhere, is their car. If they're the only driver, the ashtray is an option, but assuredly if they are not, other non-smoking drivers will find the scent of cigarette butts in an ashtray offensive - the residual smell of smoking is bad enough, but old butts are far worse.

I'm not excusing the behavior, or condoning smoking. Most smokers earnestly want to quit - usually after it's too late to easily do so. They don't want to litter on top of it, but these days, given all the ways a smoker runs afoul of someone's sensibilities, butt littering is probably the least of several evils they have to choose between.

[AnglePark]

...butt littering is probably the least of several evils they have to choose between.

Not to me, it's not -- I have to pick the damned things up, dozens every week.

People have the right to smoke, but they don't have the right to throw their butts to the ground. A smoker's habit should never become someone else's problem -- no way, no how.

Disrespect for my property is the least of my worries, because the possibility of property destruction by fire always remains. My brother is a firefighter, and he's often called out for brush fires, started by a cigarette butt. Who pays for that?

If you're a smoker carry something with you to dispose of your butts -- it's your responsibility, no one elses. If you're in your car the ashtray is the ONLY option, not just "an option."

Sadly, the only option is to toss them on the ground.

I'd say I'm surprised by that statement -- especially from a FReeper -- but nothing surprises me any longer. Somehow, folks from all walks of life seem to find justification for unacceptable behavior.

[AnglePark]

OTOH, 1/4"x1" cigarette butts disfigure the landscape a lot less than an 8"x3" coffee cup, or a 6"x6" Big Mac wrapper and box...

Not true. Littering is littering, no matter how small, but I've never seen a Big Mac wrapper or coffee cup burn thousands of acres of land, destroying property and lives along the way.