Autoblog

No Kidding: Smoking tobacco in your car is harmful to your passengers

George Kennedy — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

Well, this should hopefully come as a shock to no one, but smoking is harmful to your health. Now that we have that out of the way, it should also be quite apparent that being around smoke and smokers is not quite healthy either.

Consumer Reports posted a study conducted by British researchers that sought to determine the health effects of the presence of cigarette smoke in a car. The study was apparently the largest of its kind, and comprised over 100 car trips, by 17 drivers. Of that number, 14 drivers were smokers, introducing the tobacco smoke in 66 of the trips; 34 trips were without smoke.

The amount of interior air pollution was recorded in micrograms per cubic meter, of which the World Health Organization says 25 is a safe level. While smoke-free cars averaged roughly 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter, the smoking cars averaged 85. The study found peak pollution averaged at about 385 micrograms per cubic meter, and one scientist even found readings as high as 880. Scientists found that open windows and air conditioning did not protect passengers from encountering pollution greater than WHO's safety guidelines.

According to one of the study's authors, children are more likely to be affected by this air pollution, as they have faster breathing rates, lack a fully developed immune system, and do not have the freedom of movement to remove themselves from the source.

Consumer Reports points out that Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine and Maryland, as well as some countries have either banned, or plan to ban smoking in private vehicles.

No Kidding: Smoking tobacco in your car is harmful to your passengers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini's Raging Bull logo to adorn cigarettes in South Korea

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Lamborghini

Stand at the business end of a Lamborghini doing a smokey burnout and you're bound to get a lung or two full of all kinds of noxious chemicals. But if a showboating Aventador isn't at your disposal, soon you'll be able to light up a Lamborghini cigarette.

The Raging Bull smokes are reportedly being launched by South Korean tobacco giant KT&G on April 18 in collaboration with (read: under license from) Tonino Lamborghini. The brand already offers an assortment of high-end cigarette lighters (like the one pictured at right), cases, ashtrays and other smoking paraphernalia.

Tonino Lamborghini, we should note, is a merchandising brand that - while founded by supercar and tractor guru Ferruccio Lamborghini's son and bearing a similar logo - has nothing more to do these days with the automaker than that. So if you find the correlation a bit too commercial, you'll just have to look to the models standing next to the company's supercars at any given auto show, the ones stepping out of them onto the curbs outside any city's hottest clubs or the temperature of their engine's cam covers for your official dose of Lamborghini-grade smokin' hotness.

Lamborghini's Raging Bull logo to adorn cigarettes in South Korea originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Excuse me, ma'am... do you smoke?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Videos, Humor, Diesel

Health advocacy takes many different forms. Whether it's a quiet reminder from a friend that tobacco use can kill you, a shocking television ad from the likes of the American Lung Association or a bold billboard from the American Cancer Society, it seems like smokers simply can't catch a break. They've been relegated to cramped, sealed-off rooms at (some) airports and banished from bars and restaurants all over the country. Nearly every public space is protected from second-hand smoke, and as a result, smokers themselves are forced to huddle around safe zones like dehydrated animals at a far-flung watering hole.

Still, some individuals chose to carry on with the habit, including a shocking number of young people. No matter what doctors, parents, scientists or even the tobacco companies themselves can convince these individuals that the risks associated with smoking outweigh any potential benefits. What does all this have to do with cars, you ask? Hit the jump to find out how one group of upstanding young men is working to deter smoking in their area.

Continue reading Excuse me, ma'am... do you smoke?

Excuse me, ma'am... do you smoke? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Chrysler factory workers caught enjoying "the plant" at Jefferson North

Noah Joseph — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

What is it about working at the Chrysler Jefferson North facility (pictured above) that drives employees to get high? Controversy has bubbled up again in the form of a new report of auto workers at the factory smoking pot during their lunch break.

The last report came in September 2010 when a local Fox News affiliate caught video footage of a group of off-duty Chrysler employees apparently downing a few beers and smoking a joint or two in the company parking lot. This time, Chrysler reportedly busted another three workers - who were evidently not deterred by (or fully cognizant of) the publicity surrounding the previous incident - for partaking in the controlled substance during their downtime.

The automaker reportedly tipped off ~~the man~~ local police to the act on January 24, leading to the workers' arrests. Formal charges have reportedly not yet been filed, however. Two possible outcomes as a result of the arrests? 1. Workers actually wait until they're home to light up next time. 2. Afternoon vending machine revenue at Jefferson North plummets.

[Source: The Detroit News]

More Chrysler factory workers caught enjoying "the plant" at Jefferson North originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Chrysler fires 13 workers involved in drinking on the job, suspends two

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Chrysler, UAW/Unions

A group of Chrysler employees have been in the news lately, causing a bit of a black eye for the automaker. Originally, a Detroit Fox affiliate snagged video of the UAW members really enjoying their break - by smoking weed and drinking beer. Chrysler reacted to the news swiftly, by identifying and suspending 15 employees who were ID'd in the clip. Now, after taking time to investigate the entire incident, Chrysler has put the hammer down - 13 of the Jefferson North Plant employees have been fired and the other two get an unpaid, one-month "vacation."

It's a shame that this happened, but it's good to see Chrysler respond so quickly. The automaker has issued a brief statement on the matter, which you can read after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Followup: Chrysler fires 13 workers involved in drinking on the job, suspends two

Followup: Chrysler fires 13 workers involved in drinking on the job, suspends two originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler UAW employees work hard play hard; busted for drinking, smoking weed during break [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Chrysler, UAW/Unions

Chrysler workers enjoying a break - Click above to watch video after the jump

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away...? Some members of the UAW, employed at Chrysler's Jefferson North Plant in Detroit, feel the need to do just that. The team at My Fox Detroit received a tip about some auto workers who were using their breaks to catch a little buzz before heading back to the line. The video, which you can watch after the jump, shows several plant employees meeting in a parking lot and throwing back some cold ones. The camera also catches a few folks enjoying some of Michigan's finest herb. Maybe this is how you respond to working after winning the lottery?

Make the jump for the video and responses from Chrysler and the UAW.

[Source: My Fox Detroit]

Continue reading Chrysler UAW employees ~~work hard~~ play hard; busted for drinking, smoking weed during break [w/video]

Chrysler UAW employees ~~work hard~~ play hard; busted for drinking, smoking weed during break [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ontario introduces bill to protect "children" from secondhand smoke

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, First Drives, Canada

Four U.S. states, one Canadian province and one territory have already banned smoking in your car when children are present. Next up to potentially adopt the legislation is Ontario, Canada. A bill has been introduced into parliament that would fine anyone smoking in a car when someone under the age of 16 is also in the car.

The bill makes no exceptions for, well, anything. It doesn't matter if the car is stopped or moving, if all the windows are down and the sunroof open, or whether the smoker is driver or passenger. Smoke inside a motorized vehicle with a "child," and it'll cost you $250 Canadian.

While we don't argue with the supposed spirit of the law -- protecting children from the ill health effects of smoke -- we do wonder about the relevant age. Sixteen years old seems kind of long in the tooth to be classified as a "child," while 17-year-olds are suddenly adults who can handle it. There would also seem to be more dangerous things out there than traces of smoke at 55-MPH with the windows down, but it is Canada after all, so maybe not.

Thanks for the tip, Rodstar!

[Source: Canadian Driver]

Ontario introduces bill to protect "children" from secondhand smoke originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 May 2008 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ashtrays and cigarette lighters going up in smoke

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Lifestyle

As one smoker said at the Detroit Auto Show, "Do you know what smokers have to go through today just to smoke? It's like they're trying to erase us from history." More and more carmakers are making it harder to smoke in one's own vehicle by replacing lighters and ashtrays with storage spaces and power outlets.

The trend is driven by "pressure from anti-smoking groups, fewer smokers and the need for the extra storage space." According to the United Health Foundation, about 20.8% of the population smokes, which means about 60 million people. According to Apple, 100 million people have bought iPods. Add that to the 4 million iPhones sold, and the untold millions of Blackberrys, Palms, Razrs and what have you, and it's easy to see that people who need juice on-the-go well outnumber people who need a puff on-the-go.

Not that we're advocating the rarity of ashtrays. While a company like Chrysler hasn't put ashtrays and the like in its cars since 1996, automakers more likely to have humidor-owning customers, like Rolls-Royce, still include places to properly dispose of cigar ash -- and they're beautiful to behold as well. If anything, we do think it a bit unfair that some carmakers make you pay for your smoking gear, from $15 to $100 for a "smokers group" option. That just ain't right, since, like Vegas, what happens in your car, stays in your car...

[Source: Detroit News]

Ashtrays and cigarette lighters going up in smoke originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No smoking for you! Germany may ban smoking in cars

Chris Shunk — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Even though the majority of European Union nations have cracked down on smoking in public places, in Germany you can still smoke inside restaurants and bars. However, one place where smoking rules may change in Germany is inside your own car. German officials are currently studying whether it would be possible to restrict automotive smoking to curb the danger of second hand smoke, which is amplified inside the tight confines of an automobile. Besides second hand smoke for passengers, smoking in the car may also prove to be a distraction that can lead to traffic-safety issues as well. While a ban on smoking inside your own car may seem like a gross invasion of personal rights, any place where freeways are sometimes without speed limits could do with as few distractions as possible.

[Source: Drive.com]

No smoking for you! Germany may ban smoking in cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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California to ban smoking in cars with kids

John Neff — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

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]

California to ban smoking in cars with kids originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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