Surprise! California has become the third U.S. state to ban smoking in cars with kids– in their own special way. Newsmax.com reports that Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed an anti-motorized second hand smoking bill yesterday that doesn't allow officers to pull over kid-carrying cigarette-puffing motorists. Nope. "The traffic stop would have to be made for another offense, such as speeding or an illegal turn, before the driver could be cited for smoking." Oh, and did we mention that the ban applies to minors, as in any child under 16? That's 10 more years of clean lungs than Arkansas, which bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, and three more years than Louisiana, which protects children 13 and under. Coinciding with New Year's resolutionists, Kali-fornia's new law takes effect on January first. Offenders face a $100 fine and, we reckon, a guilt trip courtesy of the protect and serve people.
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I don’t suppose it’s of any worth to point out that it was my kids who DROVE ME TO SMOKING IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
For a country that supports freedom the average citizen seems to be losing rights daily by politicians who is only worried about voter approval ratings and getting re-elected. Probably the saddest part of this entire smoking fiasco will be in the very near future the revenue dries up form all the taxes that are no longer being collected because smoking will have been completely outlawed. Local and state goverments start will pissing and moaning about huge budget deficits because cigarette sales are way down. Other non-sinful taxes will need to be raised in order to cover the deficit. Just another example of how governments shoot themselves in the foot at the taxpayers expense.
That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of kids driving some one to pick up smoking!
Orian :
Yes, yes. Very clever. An alternative headline please?
That’s because it doesn’t happen, unless you happened to have your kids at 16 years old. Studies show that very few people start smoking after 19 years of age.
I can see children driving one to drink, but not to smoke!
Eh, at least one city in California has made it illegal to smoke in your own apartment. I just wonder…. when they pass the law making it totally illegal to smoke anywhere in California how are they going to replace all the revenue currently made taxing it?
Ralph SS :
October 11th, 2007 at 10:48 am
I don’t suppose it’s of any worth to point out that it was my kids who DROVE ME TO SMOKING IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
Ha ha. That’s funny. :)
Next, the guvernator will double speeding fines if kids are on board.
Great job California! Another unenforceable traffic law. Just like seatbelts and speeding. But hey, “it’s for the children” TM.
Does anyone else think that California passes these laws to look progressive, more than for the safety or well-being of her citizens?
lplimac said: “I just wonder…. when they pass the law making it totally illegal to smoke anywhere in California how are they going to replace all the revenue currently made taxing it?”
Find something else to tax the bejeezus out of. After all, why reduce spending (especially that of the wasteful sort) when you can just squeeze more dough out of your constituency than you already are?
Like I said, sometimes I wonder why I put up with living here…
It is really stupid to force your kids to ingest your second hand smoke. The danger of second hand smoke is proven. On the other hand, people who smoke undoubtedly depend to some extent upon nicotine to keep them alert (which it most certainly does). So I have very mixed feeling about this sort of legislation.
And the notion of making it illegal to smoke in your own house is absolutely noxious and dictatorial.
On the other hand, prhobiting the use of cell phones in cars seems reasonable to me, since you become a public health hazard when your attention is drawn away from the road.
Next thing you know, they’ll be confiscating the cars of people who smoke with their children in the car. Someone needs to tell the legislators in Tennessee.
EXCELLENT. Now if everyone who smokes would have kids in their cars, I wouldn’t have to be grossed out driving behind someone smoking ever again. My car is before the in cabin air filtration craze, so even with my windows closed, if I’m behind someone who is smoking it is GROSS.
I wish I was a car dealership so I could not accept smoker cars as trade-in.. SO GROSS
I think the only place someone should be allowed to smoke is in their own home. That way, those who don’t choose to kill themselves in that way don’t have to smell it, EVER.
p.s. as I was writing this, this commercial came on.. it’s SO disturbing to see babies exhaling smoke:
As a kid I hated it when my parents smoked in the family car and I am very pleased that this legislation was passed in California. Second hand smoke is dangerous and disgusting and children should not be subjected to it. The secondary enforcement is just the beginning. It used to be the same with seat belts, but over time CHP did start pulling people over just for not wearing one. As for cell phones, I doubt they will ever be banned in California cars. They have become part of our life style and we can drive very well with them.
I think they should increase fines/taxes for people on cell phones, eating junk food, masturbating, putting makeup on, shaving, singing, reading, watching a movie or and any other activity that would distract a driver or cause harm to others.
# lplimac :
October 11th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Eh, at least one city in California has made it illegal to smoke in your own apartment.
This smacks of special interest legislation passed by the apartment/condo slumlords to avoid discrimination suites when they refuse to place families who have had an apartment fire.
I am sure that it was passed with pithy words about how it endangers other families in multi unit buildings, but I don’t buy any alturistic motive in the dealings that got the law passed.
Bruce
Remember , it’s for the children.
Another way to pay for massive socialism out there. So when the parents get home, and light up in the house, will they be able to fine them for that some day?
I love how the same government which professes to care about children so much seems to have no problem killing them in the womb.