Except the actual cigarettes of course, those still generate too much money, but that won’t stop the behavioral police from finding innovative ways to make smoking of said legal product unlawful. This time around, politicians have set their targets on adult drivers who light up with kids under 14 in the vehicle. And it won’t matter if the windows are rolled down or not.
The very act of smoking with a child on board could cost violators a $100 fine if a prudish state assemblyman and his colleagues have their way. Reports the Daily News: “If cops believe a driver is in violation, they can stop the vehicle and question the passengers’ ages.” Sounds like a plan. Why should parents be able to decide what’s good for their children?
Prudish? I'm sorry, this is stupid. I'm a smoker and even I don't think children should be exposed to cigarette smoke in the enclosed confinement of a car. Find something else to get outraged about.
Last Friday, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services added formaldehyde to its list of known carcinogens that cause cancer. One of the largest sources of this: cigarette smoke. If you're dumb enough to expose your child to this in a confined space, shouldn't there be someone to intervene?
1) You're assuming this is a widespread enough problem that it warrants legislation. 2) What if the windows are rolled down? Does the smoke not dissipate enough? 3) An apartment in NYC, unless you're rich, can be considered a confined space. I guess smoking should be banned there too? 4) Fast food is also not good for kids, ban that too? 5) Car exhaust really isn't good for kids. Ban?
Sorry, but the last place the "state" needs to be is in your car now too.
Yes, smoking in any confined space should be illegal in the company of children. So, you're saying that it's okay to poison children's developing bodies with formaldehyde and other toxins at home and in your car? Just don't allow it in movie theaters and restaurants? My girlfriend has suffered decades of health & breathing problems from her chain-smoking mother, but you think it would be against someone's civil rights to continue this behavior for generations because of your idea of what government should be? Laws are often created to protect those without a voice. This is the basis of this argument. If an authoritative voice made it into her home 30 years ago, maybe she wouldn't be dealing with these terrifying asthma attacks that go on to this day. How is that a civil right?
1) yes, smoking in cars is widespread, as is reproduction;
2) uh, yes – have you been in car before?;
3) yes, see below;
4) fast food has some nutritional benefits for children – can you say the same about cigarette smoke?;
5) yes – we no longer use leaded gasoline for precisely this reason, and we have increasingly stringent exhaust standards.
I guess you also don't agree with child-seat or safety belt laws? also, why did you put the word state in quotes?
I do not smoke and I think the militant anti smoking people are annoying as hell. There is not a shred of proof linking second hand smoke to any adverse health conditions. If second hand smoke is so deadly, why weren't kids dropping like flies back in the days when EVERYBODY smoked ALL THE TIME?
Tyrannical control freaks anyone? I’ve been all over the US, and the world for that matter, but there is one place I haven’t visited, and I never will: New Yawk City. The NY government is tyrannical, getting into the smallest details of everyone’s personal lives there. The people of said city have been brainwashed for so long now, they will go along with any personal intrusions by government SERVANTS. Do this, don’t do that. Don’t eat salt, don’t smoke in a bar, don’t smoke in your car, soon don’t smoke in your home, don’t smoke on the street. Don’t forget about that salt thing. The government of NY knows no bounds of what they can dream up next to invade your personal life. I don’t need the gubment to tell me how to walk, talk, eat, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised if I read tomorrow that NYC will require all residents to have a fart monitor sewed into their butts to calculate personal anal methane emissions and wirelessly report it to city hall where they’ll charge you a fart tax billed automatically to your garbage pickup bill. Got to save the planet from us mindless sheep and our poot emissions that could cause global warming, er, climate change. NYC is one sick and twisted hell of freakish politicians just itching to find something new to impose on you. You can have your $2500/month studio apartments, $11 a pack smokes, and gutless gun grabbers. How did America come to this? Land of the free and home of the brave? Huh. Try land of the cowards and home of the slaves. So thankful I’m nowhere near the Mideast, I mean Northeast. I’m sure you are all glad I’m not there too. No problem at all, not at all. It’s all yours baby!! Enjoy!!