Posted on 07/25/2005 4:38:43 AM PDT by jeepgal
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Ashtrays have been disappearing in cars like fins on Cadillacs, and so could smoking while driving in New Jersey, under a measure introduced in the Legislature.
Although the measure faces long odds, it still has smokers incensed and arguing it's a Big Brother intrusion that threatens to take away one of the few places they can enjoy their habit. "The day a politician wants to tell me I can't smoke in my car, that's the day he takes over my lease payments," said John Cito, a financial planner from Hackensack with a taste for $20 US cigars.
Those cigars, pipes and cigarettes would become no-nos for drivers. Offenders would be stung with a fine of up to $250, under the measure, whose sponsor said it's designed more to improve highway safety than protect health.
Some states, including New Jersey, have considered putting the brakes on smoking while children are in the car. But none have gone for an outright ban on smoking while driving, according to Washington, D.C.-based Action on Smoking and Health, the country's oldest anti-tobacco organization.
Smokers, feeling like easy targets, say enough already. They argue they've been forced outside office buildings, run off the grounds of public facilities, and asked to pony up more in per-pack excise taxes when states feel a budget squeeze.
"With smoking, it's becoming increasingly fashionable to target legislation or prohibitions," said George Koodray, a member of the Metropolitan Cigar Society, a 100-strong group that meets in Paterson for dinner and a smoke.
Assemblyman John McKeon, a tobacco opponent whose father died of emphysema, sponsored the legislation. He cites a AAA-sponsored study on driver distractions in which the automobile association found that of 32,000 accidents linked to distraction, one per cent were related to smoking.
The measure, co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Lorretta Weinberg, a fellow Democrat, was introduced last month just before legislators' summer break. It faces some improbable odds for passing.
Some legislators may fear the bill is frivolous compared with more pressing issues like taxes, said political analyst David Rebovich.
And there's this to consider: Traffic safety groups acknowledge motorists now widely ignore the state's year-old law against using hand-held cellphones, so why would smoking be any different?
Mitchell Sklar, of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said police departments may balk at enforcing such a law. "In general, we'd rather not try to incrementally look at every single behaviour and make those a violation," he said.
....this smoking ban is getting really ridiculous....
Isn't it?
A gentleman would refrain from inquiring as to exactly how you gained your expertise.
Fortunately for me, I'm no gentleman...
Assemblyman John McKeon, a tobacco opponent whose father died of emphysema, sponsored the legislation. He cites a AAA-sponsored study on driver distractions in which the automobile association found that of 32,000 accidents linked to distraction, one per cent were related to smoking.
One percent, eh? Well, good golly, we'd best do something about that! It's a positive epidemic! < / sarcasm off.
He lost his father to emphysema, but this legislation is more about public safety than public health? Gimme a break. I'm very sorry he lost his father-I'm lucky enough that my parents (smokers that they are!) are alive and well.
But, we're supposed to believe this is about public safety. With this assemblyman, it might actually be about public health, but it's usually all about the Benjamins, baby.
Some states, including New Jersey, have considered putting the brakes on smoking while children are in the car.
And so what do they plan to do about that? Fine you or report you to CPS for engaging in a legal activity around your children? Worse, take your kids from you on the spot? Next thing you know, you'll be fined or reported to CPS if you have your kids in the car in the McD's drive thru. It sounds stupid, but that's because we're not whacked out libs trying to legislate folks' behavior "for their own good".
Depends on how it's being done ... :D
One percent?
Is this functional moron related to Cyntia McKinney?
Shep Smith just said on FNC,while discussing this NJ law, that cigarettes should be illegal anyway- What an ass--he probably loves his little drink,though.
"Interesting how it is always the more 'progressive' states that are first with busy-body type legislation. I guess they've already solved all the serious problems."
Well, you know, they have to give the cops something to do, seeing as how they have no other crimes to police. /sarc
"So, if they can eliminate pretty girls by the roadside and car radios, they can reduce distraction accidents by 40.8%!"
Not just pretty girls. Billboards and street advertising are next after smoking. Just wait.
I don't know. Perhaps he was saying it to scare the tobacco tax loving politicians. To get their goat.
I didn't see it myself, it's just a wild guess on my part.
Oral sex in a car going down the highway is MUCH worse then EVER smoking a cigarette.
So, let the lawmakers stop THAT! heh!
Since all I ever did was smoke going down the highway, I think I'd need to test your theory first hand and then make a decision.
this legislation is more about public safety than public health
Need to get rid of passengers. They are more distracting than most anything. You know, all that talking back and forth.
Who's going to listen to a bunch of stuttering reformed drunks (AAA)?
New Jersey is the most densely populated state.
As population increases, freedom decreases.
I meant to say, it's more about public health, for HIM. He's just trying to mask his motivation by saying it's about safety, rather than health.
Sure, I agree. That's what I meant, too. lol :D
Great Sticker, I want one for all my cars. Anyway what kind of Looser proposes such garbage? I guess being in office in the most over taxed, poorly run state in the union causes brain damage. Why is this jack ass wasting the over burdened tax payers money by even floating such a bill? Let’s face facts here. If the government of New Jersey can figure any way to extract more money from us, to support the garbage that re-elects them they will try it. Advice to the Government help the tax payers. Stop wasting there money!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.