Posted on 08/14/2006 7:32:01 AM PDT by calcowgirl
Targeting a new frontier in the fight against smoking, California lawmakers may ban motorists from lighting up near young passengers.
The measure would mark the first time that Californians would be prohibited from smoking legal tobacco products on private property not open to the public or employees.
No state had passed such a vehicle smoking ban until this year, when Arkansas and Louisiana set a precedent by barring the practice when passengers are under 6 or 13, respectively.
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, a West Hollywood Democrat who proposed California's ban, Assembly Bill 379, said some parents don't seem to know -- or care -- about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
"If you're too stupid to recognize that on your own, then we have to pass a law to tell you, 'Don't be an idiot, don't smoke with your small kid in the car with you,' " Koretz said.
AB 379 makes no exception for vehicles whose windows are open to increase ventilation. It applies to motorists whose passengers are younger than 6 or lighter than 60 pounds.
Violators would be subject to a base fine of up to $100, which could rise to more than $350 through penalty assessments for courts, jails, trauma centers and other programs.
Opponents call AB 379 another example of "nanny government" in which lawmakers intrude into private lives or property rights.
"I think we try to micromanage people's lives to an extent that's getting ridiculous, whether it's health or dietary or lifestyle decisions," said Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, D-Pittsburg.
Canciamilla predicted that if AB 379 succeeds in limiting smoking in vehicles, other private property will be targeted next.
"The argument would be the same: Why would you let someone smoke in a car with children present? Then, why in an apartment? Or a house?"
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Pure arrogance.
Good luck with that.
Get a load of this.
The boundless arrogance of the nanny state; right up their with Hillary's "We're going to take things away from you for the common good"
"If you're too stupid to recognize that on your own, then we have to pass a law to tell you, 'Don't be an idiot, don't smoke with your small kid in the car with you'"
Capitol Office · State Capitol · P.O. Box 942849 · Sacramento, CA 94249-0042
Phone: (916) 319-2042 · Fax: (916) 319-2142
District Office · 9200 Sunset Blvd. · PH-15 · West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 285-5490 · Fax: (310) 285-5499
Anyone remember bublegum cigarettes and cigars? Man, the world has shifted in thirty years.
What an idiot.
As long as you crack the window and smoke while moving every bit of it goes out the window.
I wonder how many kids are killed each year in car accidents?
Its awful I tells ya!
If youre to stupid to not put your kid in a guided land missle, then we'll have to pass a law to make you walk.
Assemblyman, I think you guys need to tax Twinkies next.
Good job!
Fellow Travelers, separated at birth
Rebuttal: "If you're too stupid to realize you're getting fat on your own, then we're going to have to pass a law to keep you from eating too much Assemblyman"
Looks like we need to pass a law about the over consumption of twinkies because Mr koertz seems to have a problem refraining from shoveling them into his fat piehole
Yep, cleaner air.
Who is that with him?
Venezuelan dictator-for-life Hugo Chavez
No doubt it will be. I've never understood how people could smoke in a car with the windows up. It's kind of like a gas chamber. But, it is quite possible to have the windows open, or even just the driver's window open and the cigarette held near it and the smoke blown out of it, and the smoke is hardly noticable. I've been in cars with smokers who have done that and the smoke is not noticable while the person is smoking or afterward. Of course, "science" tells us that if you get even the slightest whiff of tobacco smoke -- not even a whiff, but just a hint of its aroma -- well, you're on the express train to the Promised Land.
In a house even with the ventilation going, the smoke still kind of hangs around for a while -- so my guess is that goverment will incrementally work toward banning it at home, as well.
IMHO, we're way past the point where citizens need to be telling the state to $@!* off.
Maine started this two years ago with Foster Parents!
Maine: Do not smoke if your a foster parent! The DHS says so! It's ok if you sprawl on the couch at night drunk though!
DHS creates smoking rules for foster homes, vehicles
2-26-04 - article here
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