NEXT: NO CIGS IN YOUR CAR

New York Post ^ | 9/22/03 | KENNETH LOVETT

[Gabz]

All I ask is that they keep them in their own vehicles instead of throwing them out the window.

I'm a smoker and I agree with you 100%. In fact I wish all drivers and passengers would keep all their litter in the vehicle until they get home or someplace with a trash receptacle.

Having a cup of ice hit your windshield from the vehicle in front of you at 65mph is not fun. Not fun at all.

FWIW, many new model vehicles no longer come with an ashtray as a standard feature. It's an option, and an expensive one at that.

[Great Dane]

I see butts flicked out the window and dropped at store entrances everyday by folks I’m sure don’t think they are littering.

Oh, they know it's littering, but again, why is it that you complain only about butts, there are a lot more visual litter of all kinds.

[Gabz]

BUT CIGARETTE SMOKING IS THE REAL THREAT...RIGHT.

Of course, didn't you know smoking was the most evil thing known to mankind and is the root cause of all the worlds' problems.

It must be true --- an anti-smoker told me that yesterday and we all know the antis don't lie.

[bc2]

welcome to New York, where the Democrats are Socialists and the Republicans are Fascists

[Publius6961]

Hi Gabz.
See post #60.

Oh yes, having a new car reminds me that there are excellent ashtrays made to fit in "cup holders"; a much more dangerous item to have in a car, in my opinion: drinks.

[SheLion]

This may be a good place to get the other members of the smoking lounge to help me find an old column by Florence King, where she described the role of cigarettes in our lives, specially among the dying, fighting in a war far from home. It is a classic, and although I "saved it" many years ago, I can't put my finger on it.

I vaguely remember the article you’re talking about. I will look through my "stuff" and see if I can find it. Maybe the others can look as well. I will let you know.

[Michael81Dus]

The stairway-example takes freedom: the freedom of building a house however you as the owner want it.

But I think that this is justified, as well as mandatory seatbelt and helmet for bikers. The state protects you, and by fining you, he reduces the numbers of hurt/killed people in an accident.

While I agree that a smoking ban in private cars is not to be justified, mandatory seatbelts and helmet for bikers are! Because: by being hurt in an accident, the costs for your treatment in a hospital harm the society - and therefore it´s a task of the state to reduce these costs. I´m pretty content with that.

And in Germany, even phoning with your cell phone is forbidden when you drive and will be fined with 35 € (ca. 38 $). I can understand that, it´s increasing safety. (You should know that we´ve nearly no empty roads, all our roads are full of cars, even at night- no wonder with a population of 83 million and a size slighty smaller than Montana.)

[Publius6961]

Thanks.

: )

[tubebender]

I think the bill should be limited to those drivers that smoke and talk on a cell phone at the same time.

Oh, it's already illegal to talk on a cell in NY? :- (

[Clemenza]

When I lived in Florida, you were allowed to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, provided you carried a very large amount of insurance. This prevented the costs for medical treatment from being incurred by society.

[DumpsterDiver]

Is this the one?

I'd Rather Smoke Than Kiss
by Florence King
National Review, 7/9/90, Vol. 62 Issue 13, p32.

[SheLion]

Diver! Thanks!

That is the one I was thinking of. I hope it's the same one that Publius6961 is after!

Thanks again!

[bc2]

you sound like an idiot on this smoking issue.

why don't you do whatever you want on your own property, and don't bitch about what other people do on their own property.

you are free to come and go, or not, as you please.

except for my property, where I ban fascists and people who can't make choices for themselves.

[Gabz]

I saw it and was looking to see if I had it in my files, prior to posting.

I can't find anything ........ hopefully someone else can help you.

sorry, FRiend.

[Cboldt]

cig-car >bump<

[Gabz]

Very few private homes are built with elevators.

Most buildings with elevators are either public (ie government) buildings or multiple story buildings with rental space. Common sense would tell anyone building a building that staircases in multiple story buildings with elevators is common sense.

Common sense would also tell someone to wear a seat belt or a motorcycle helmut.

Do you know what the number 1 distraction for drivers in cars is - it's neck and neck between talking to passengers and KIDS in the car. Not cigarettes, not cell phones, not changing the station on the radio - KIDS.

Since all this governmental micro-magement of adults is ostensibly "for the children" if the government truly wants to protect them - they should ban KIDS in all moving vehicles, except possibly horse-drawn buggies.

In Delaware drivers and passengers in vehicles must wear their seat belts, yet motorcycle riders need only have a helmut on the bike, not required to be on their head.

I don't need any further micro-management of my life, particularly from the government.

I live near a major north/south route along the east coast - I am fully aware that roads are rarely if ever empty.

[j_tull]

Nice piece ag!

[FierceDraka]

The further purposeful division of society. CWII coming soon.

Agreed. We're already in a de facto state of "Cold" Civil War.

[Michael81Dus]

This personal offense is not an adequate way of discussion. If you got a problem with my thoughts tell me in a civilized way or discuss it! Insulting others won´t help you to get more understanding for your views.

[Protagoras]

"They're going right back to the Hitler days."

“Fascism is an economic and social theory that property, though privately owned, is subject to government control.”

People who advocate or cheer the anti smoking laws now being passed are fascists. It's not an insult per se, it's a statement of fact.