Calif. bans smoking in cars with kids

Yahoo News ^ | Thu Oct 11, 6:04 AM ET | STEVE LAWRENCE

[martin_fierro]

Calif. bans smoking in cars with kids

By STEVE LAWRENCE, Associated Press Writer Thu Oct 11, 6:04 AM ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California motorists will risk fines of up to $100 next year if they are caught smoking in cars with minors, making their state the third to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. But 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.

The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, joins a string of smoking prohibitions adopted in California, including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground.

A Harvard School of Public Health report issued last year said secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home.

"Protecting the health of our children is among government's highest responsibilities," said the bill's author, state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat. "It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to do."

At least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. Arkansas now bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, while Louisiana has limited it when children 13 and younger are in the vehicle. Maine lawmakers will take up the issue in January.

[martin_fierro]

"Did you really think we want those laws observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against... We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." ('Atlas Shrugged' 1957)

[martin_fierro]

Nanny State Ping

[Froufrou]

Wow. Just wow. Ping to Landru...

I thought you only did funny pictures. That Ayn Rand quote is da bomb.

[andy58-in-nh]

"Protecting the health of our their children is among government's a parent's highest responsibilities..."

Socialists want us all to be helpless as small children, dependent on government for everything.

[SAJ]

The perfect citation for the Calbanian nanny-staters.

WTG!

[at bay]

Yes, thank God sanity is finally prevailing regarding deadly smoke. The consistent, not politically correct solution is to ban smoking tobacco altogether as the profound poison it is, but the addicts are outspoken due to their addiction. Right liars?