Soon, smoking in cars with children will be illegal in California
Starting January 1st, 2008, just a few days from now, it will be illegal to smoke in a car with a minor (someone under the age of 18) in California. The "Smoke-free Cars with Minors" law covers parked cars and cars in motion, and the police can pull you over just to see if you are smoking with a child in the car. California joins three other states in banning smoking in a car with a child and the crime is punishable by a fine of up to $100. A 2006 Surgeon General's Report says there is no safe level for exposure to second hand smoke and children can't exactly defend themselves, but do you think this is an invasion of your personal rights or a good way to clean up the environment inside a car?
[Source: Record Courier, California Chronicle]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim 12:21PM (12/24/2007)
We're under attack by the Democratic/Socialist liberals and the Neo Conservatives who would strip us of our natural rights, freedoms and very liberty in the name of peace and environmentalism. The United States is sliding into a fascist/socialist global state...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist
When will they come for YOUR favorite freedom? Speak to freedom while you are still free enough to do so and NEVER surrender your guns! They are “We the people’s” last defense against the oligarchy.
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Throwback 12:34PM (12/24/2007)
I am not nor have I ever been a smoker, but this is way over the top. Will the Police next be able to enter your house to see if you are smoking with a minor present? What is the difference? How about police checking to see what you are feeding your children? Does the law apply if you have a convertible?
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Joe Camel 1:47PM (12/24/2007)
1) Nobody smokes in a car with the windows up tight. If you do,the car will be filled with smoke and smell. If you put your hand out and lower the window an inch, its all sucked outside in a twinkling. The people who claim it's concentrated are liars. What else is new?
2) It's easy enough to keep an eye out for the cops and hold your cigarette out of sight.
3) The true purpose of this tyranny is to establish a precedent for invading the homes of smokers and nonsmokers alike.
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Tim 1:58PM (12/24/2007)
If you love Freedom, then you MUST watch this!!!
America Freedom to Fascism (Full Video): http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=America+Freedom+to+Fascism+%28Full+Video%29
We are becoming enslaved by “good” intentions.
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dgw3049 3:14PM (12/24/2007)
I'am a smoker and when I see someone, smoking in a car with children! I would really like to pull them out of thier seat and beat the crap out of them. I hope they adopt the law in my state!!!
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Mort 3:36PM (12/24/2007)
The maggots spew so much toxic crap into the air, feed us toxic food and water, but they want to gouge people for $100 a pop? That's just perfect!
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mike 3:44PM (12/24/2007)
We could return smoker's privacy to them and have social services remove their children if they want to smoke around them.
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GreyFlcn 4:16PM (12/24/2007)
==We're under attack by the Democratic/Socialist liberals and the Neo Conservatives who would strip us of our natural rights, freedoms and very liberty in the name of peace and environmentalism. The United States is sliding into a fascist/socialist global state==
And yet you consider Bush's illegal wiretapping program, and the "Patriot Act" to be A-OK?
_
Do whatever you want to yourself. Thats your right.
But once you start involving others thats is where it no longer becomes an issue of "individual freedom".
Especially when it comes to harming children.
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GreyFlcn 4:23PM (12/24/2007)
Or as I like to phrase it:
"Your right to swing your fist stops where my face begins"
_
Heh also why don't we toss in the the removal of Habeus Corpus, or ignoring the Geneva Convention to the list.
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Furion 5:09PM (12/24/2007)
I think police officers should also carry scales and tape measures in their patrol cars. Then, if they spot a fat kid, they should measure him/her, and if the weight index is is too high, give a fine to the parents for obviously feeding their kid wrong. And assign a follow-up check in 6 months, if the kid isn't slimmed down to normal measures, take the kid away.
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Joe 5:36PM (12/24/2007)
===
1. We're under attack by the Democratic/Socialist liberals and the Neo Conservatives who would strip us of our natural rights, freedoms and very liberty in the name of peace and environmentalism. The United States is sliding into a fascist/socialist global state...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist
When will they come for YOUR favorite freedom? Speak to freedom while you are still free enough to do so and NEVER surrender your guns! They are “We the people’s” last defense against the oligarchy.
===
What, the freedom to kill your kids? I don't think that's in the constitution. We're talking about smoking in a tightly confined space. Never surrender your guns? Huh? I guess some people are just paranoid and think big brother is out to get them. They need a scapegoat to blame for everything as they feel they can do no wrong themselves.
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Tim 6:07PM (12/24/2007)
GreyFlcn- Let’s get something straight right now.
Bush is one of the worst Neo Conservative traitors! He as betrayed is oath of office by ignoring the Founder’s original intent of the Constitution. It was originally designed to SECURE (not grant) the natural rights and freedoms of “We the People” by limiting the power of the federal government and creating competition between the states. The intent is that if you do not like the policies of one state, simply move yourself, your business and your tax revenue to another. Competition creates innovation, increases quality and lowers costs.
Nowhere have I EVER said that the fascist “UN-Patriot act” was anything but a federal grab for control over the personal lives of law abiding Americans. What did the “majority” left do to stop it? NOTHING! By the way… who’s children are you referring to? Yours or the governments? Are you so willing to give your children away to the mobocracy?
Without Habeus Corpus, the Constitution is effectively DEAD!
Joe- What does “killing your kids” have to do with this anyway? How are we (you) killing our (your) kids? Too much sugar, too much sunlight, too much water, too much TV, too much BBQ, too much… freedom? Who’s to say? YOU? Where do you draw the line?
Who made you two comrades the Supreme Beings? You can’t simply take that power without a fight!
Joe, as far as the guns are concerned, history taught us that millions of Jews would be alive today if they simply ignored Germany’s gun confiscation under the early Democratic-Socialist Nazi party. As soon as the guns were gone, the Jews were easily rounded up and placed into ghettos and we all know the end of that story. Or don’t you read or understand history? I know, you don’t think that could happen today. READ THE PAPER!
Those who ignore history are DOOMED to repeat it! Don’t be stupid, step back and look at the BIG picture of what is really happening.
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Domenick 8:00PM (12/24/2007)
Has anyone ever walked down a sidewalk? I'm pretty sure all the second hand gas and diesel exhaust is easily as dangerous as second hand cigarette smoke. Will California make internal combustion engines illegal? (that's a rhetorical question)
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Anotherbrick 10:38PM (12/24/2007)
Why stop there? Alcohol;salt,red meat,driving,walking,sports,public school,over the counter meds,prescription meds,etc....soon sex will be outlawed because you may have a heart attack or your test tube child may witness it,scarring them for life! Don't stand for it people or the powers that be will kill you rather than lock you up(that may cause you emotional distress)get up, stand up, stand up for your rights.
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Randy 11:02AM (12/25/2007)
I dont care what people do in there car...as long as the can drive correctly.
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annie Hesp 4:00PM (12/25/2007)
I grew up with my dad smoking in the car all the time! Not only did I hate every minute of it, but I have suffered from chronic asthma since I was very young. When I complained, I was just ignored. As a child I had no say when or where my dad did or didn't smoke. I am all for the law. The law should extend into the houses as well.
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Dad 4:50PM (12/25/2007)
"Starting January 1st, 2008, just a few days from now, it will be illegal to smoke in a car with a minor"
But what if you are smoking pot or crack? Is that okay? If the minor refuses to smoke, can you still smoke? By definition you are not smoking with a minor in the car if they are not smoking ;-)
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bill 9:40AM (12/26/2007)
Well goody goody. On the one hand we moan and groan about man causing global warming. Then we want to outlaw a proven child killer like second hand smoke. Can't we be just a little consistent in our reasoning just once?
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Rick 6:24PM (12/26/2007)
I see at least one person a day smoking with the windows up. As a former smoker, I still can't understand how someone can do that.
As for the children in the car, that's an awesome law. I don't see why their young and still developing lungs should suffer for an unfortunate habit they parent's have fallen victim to. I quit after my second child (wife quit before the first) was born because I didn't want them growing up around cigarettes.
Joe- Move.
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Franklin 3:13PM (12/26/2007)
Yeah, "into the houses"! Social workers could do full work ups (hmmmm...environment not gay-friendly enough, lots of trans-fat food, OK load the kids into the bus...)
What am I saying -- "could"? It's "WILL," after universal pre-K Hillary wins.
"Teach your kids about Hillary, before it's '08!"
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