California to ban smoking in cars with kids
Senators in California are close to passing a bill that would prohibit smoking in vehicles carrying children who are required by law to ride in a child seat. The bill proposed by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) recently received a 23-14 vote that sent it back to the Assembly, and with our underdeveloped comprehension of state politics we can't really tell you how close that means the bill is to landing on the Governator's desk, but we think it's pretty close. And to think I was freaked out when I last visited California because I couldn't light up in a bowling alley. A bowling alley!Proponents argue that the bill is an attempt to "protect the health of children who cannot protect themselves." We'll let that one go because we're sure you'll pick it up in the comments, but we will point out something else from the linked article, which is that on the same day the smoking ban was approved the California Senate shot down an alternative fuel bill. This bill would require that at least half of the vehicles sold in California be classified as clean-running alternative vehicles by 2020.
Why bring up both bills? Well, because it seems like the smoking ban bill is something that can be easily passed and forgotten about until election time, whereas the alternative fuel bill, which would join a host of other strict California emissions laws, would be a logistical nightmare. It would no doubt infuriate the auto industry to no end, which does still have some political clout in this country, as we're sure it's getting tired of the Golden State single-handedly setting this nation's environmental policy when it comes to autos.
Thanks for tip, James!
[Source: Mercury News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 29)
Biki 2:03PM (6/20/2009)
I agree that children should not be harmed with the smoke. I too smoke Cuban cigars but I never do it in the car when my children are around. Take crae of your kids.
http://www.gocubans.com
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DPC car videos 3:18PM (8/29/2006)
I know most smokers won't agree but I think this is a great law if they pass it. I know I was glad when they passed the resturant none smoking law.
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Rmi 3:22PM (8/29/2006)
Bravo!
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infinihertz 3:22PM (8/29/2006)
Agree with #1. As a nonsmoker in Michigan, my past two visits to California and one to Seattle were absolute delights, as I was able to go to restaurants and bars and not be exposed to secondhand smoke. Whether you agree with those already passed laws or not, this one makes more sense. I can choose to not go to a smoky restaurant, but babies can't choose to not ride in a smoky car.
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Dr1v3r 3:22PM (8/29/2006)
Excellent law.
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Neal M 2:32AM (8/30/2006)
That's weird...to be able to smoke in a bowling alley?? Here it is not legal to smoke anywhere in public indoors. Good law though.
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Steve 3:31PM (8/29/2006)
You all sound like a bunch of whining sissies. (And no, I don't smoke.)
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JuanPablo 3:34PM (8/29/2006)
Yeah, great law. Next thing they need to do is outlaw farting in cars. Clean air and all. I mean who do you think you are that you can pollute the air in your own car with your own kids. I'm sure the government of the People Republic of Cali knows better. They have such a proven track record.
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Rob 3:38PM (8/29/2006)
i don't see how this could be considered a "bad" law. they should do this everywhere. just because some people don't care about their health doesn't mean they shouldn't worry about that of their kids.
as mrs. lovejoy (from the simpsons) says, "won't somebody please think of the children!?!" i guess california is :)
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miklm 3:39PM (8/29/2006)
"Excellent law"? Are you kidding?
Another win for the nanny-statists who want to tell all of us what to eat, what to drive, and how to do everything. How about we address the personal freedom lost by all these non-smoking bills?
I'm not a smoker, but today its cigarettes, tomorrow its caffiene, the next day its french fries. What ever happened to personal responsibility in this country, and the freedom to make decisions for yourself?
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Rob 3:38PM (8/29/2006)
now that you mention it JuanPablo, they SHOULD outlaw farting in cars. it should be strictly limited to being done at home (and in the bathroom at work i GUESS), just as God meant it to be.
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Bert 3:39PM (8/29/2006)
Political hypocrites!
Ban smokinng, Period! No more problems. Don't condone cigarettes and then condemn their use.
Worse than cigarette adiciton is Government's addition to the tax revenue.
Non-smoker Bert.
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Tri-Bob 3:47PM (8/29/2006)
Micromanagement from the government will know no boundaries. This will just force these kids to be locked in doors with their chain-smoking parents. It would make more sense to ban the sale of cigarettes. (Anyone else notice that the baby isn't properly strapped into the car seat - let's give them a ticket for that too)
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antrow 3:49PM (8/29/2006)
I think that is a fantastic idea. I just commented when we were eating out the other day and two alduts were chain smoking next to a new born and three other small kids how sad I thought it was. Those kids had no choice but to sit there and suck it in.
Smoking us much different then caffiene and french frys. Your consumption of those will not impact the heath of people around you. I would still be on a bowling league if smoking was outlawed in Bowling Allys in Virginia.
I do agree that the government wants to ban smoking but still wants the tax revenue from the sale of tabacco products. But then, that industry has a huge lobbing budget.
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Ryan 3:49PM (8/29/2006)
Can I sue the state of California becuase my Dad smoked in the car with me when I was a kid. Can I sue them now? I mean I was born in 1981, clearly everyone knew smoking was bad by 1981.
Clearly California owes me millions for the trauma I have put through!
---How many cases like the above-listed will happen?---
-Is this another excuse to pull you over?
-California is just mad because Washington State passed the the "toughest" smoking laws. And usually Californai is the first state to restrict freedom, so they are mad :-)
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Nat 3:56PM (8/29/2006)
Your choice to eat french fries or drink coffee doesn't screw with my sinuses. It's not about making decisions for yourself, it's about not having the right to make them for other people.
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PJ 3:56PM (8/29/2006)
"What ever happened to personal responsibility in this country, and the freedom to make decisions for yourself?"
Damn infants just want a handout! If they don't like the secondhand smoke, why don't they just say so? Then unstrap themselves and take a cab? That's what we would've done in my day. :-)
This law seems perfectly sensible to me. Besides, our state could use the revenue.
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Ryan 3:57PM (8/29/2006)
Ahhh, I love Las Vegas, I just came back from a "smoking" Burger King (where you are allowed to smoke in a Burger King, when was the last time you have seen that)?
When my kids are in daycare, do you realize I had to shop for a daycare that does not smoke with the kids around.
-In the state of Nevada you are allowed to smoke in daycares, cars, ANYWHERE.
-Anyway, freedom is amazing, if I want to grab a drink at 3:30am on a Sunday I can do that (bars never close). If I want to smoke virtually anywhere, I can do so (actually I have quit 6 mos now!!!). Dance clubs stay open all night. Limited police patrol=being able to speed for the most part. Oh and if you want to rent some sex just hop over to NYE county and get a hooker (not allowed in Vegas city limits). Ahh, freedom. What does all of this equal? The fastest growing state for 17 years.
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Jared 8:22PM (8/29/2006)
#11, yes it is an excellent law because too many people in this country DON'T want to take responsibility for their actions. After they get terminally ill after years of unhealthy behaviour, they expect the government to pay for their medical bills.
I'm all for letting people smoke all they want, only if they disavow any future claim to medical benefits from tax payers. Since kids can't make that decision, this is a good law.
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Steve 3:59PM (8/29/2006)
As someone who lives in Washington State, I was very happy when they passed the non-smoking law in public places. I don't have any problem if you want to kill yourself, just don't hurt anyone else while you're doing it.
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