What about the children?

Question

Today I heard on the news that a state in the US is banning smoking in vehicles when there is a minor (under 18) in the car. I think this is great! I heard that people are opposed to it saying it infringes on basic human rights. What about the rights of the children, many of whom cannot even speak? Don't get me wrong and think I am picking on the smoker's either, cause I smoke. But, I think a law like this has been a long time coming. What do you think???

Answer 1

I smoke. I have a step-daughter. I NEVER EVER EVER smoke in the house or in the car with her. Just because I've made the choice as an adult to fill my lungs with harmful chemicals, does not mean it should be passed onto a child. the child can't choose for themselves. I think it's a GREAT idea. If someone needs a ciggarette THAT badly, carry nicoteen gum.... or heck, it doesn't take much to find a place to pull over and smoke.

HOWEVER, i think that this might just be a law that is enforced only when other things are at stake. Call me paraniod, but a police officer needs cause to pull someone over. drinkers tend to smoke more than non-smokers.... probable cause = smoking..... upon stop, see/smell/suspect alcohol = DUI..... DUI = a heck of alot more money than a smoking ticket........ PLUS near indisputable probable cause = more convictions. like i said, call me paranoid..... but i think i'll be proven right.

Answer 2

All I know is I knew a lot of people that grew up with their parents smoking and they are just fine. Personally , I don't smoke, I don't like it, but it's not anyone's place to make every one stop. Then what would be next? Banning fast food and soft drinks, this is absurd. If a restaurant or bar owner wants to make a smoke free establishment, that's fine, that's their right as a business owner, but for the government to step in, that's silly. I've been performing in smokey bars since I was 12, that's over 16 years, kids, and my lungs are fine. I know this because I have my doctor check these things regularly.

Answer 3

I'm thinking private auto's today and private homes tomorrow. Way too much infringement on personal choice here. I'm an ex smoker and absolutely hate cigarette smoke, but I will fight for the rights of smokers who chose to smoke in their personal vehicles.

Answer 4

I dont smoke. Never have. Never will. I think its nasty, sick and disgusting. But this big brother mentality of the federal government has gone too far. Whats next? No listening to radios in cars with kids under 18 because it might distract you/cause you to wreck and hurt the child?
I dont need the government to tell me how to raise my children. If i do something negative that impacts them down the road then maybe they will learn from my mistakes and teach their children different.

Answer 5

Where does it end? Do you want the government dictating what you can feed your children? How often you have them exercise? What you teach them morally?

The government loves power. First they created non-smoking sections, then they demanded smoke-free businesses and are beginning to include restaurants and bars, and now some cities are dictating what kinds of food restaurants can serve.

The government ALWAYS goes down the slippery slope. Be careful how much power you are willing to hand over because eventually they will demand something with which you don't agree.

Answer 6

I think it's wonderful. Smoke hurts everyone as it floats around. I was super happy when they stopped it in restaurants; nothing ruins my meal more than smelling smoke when I'm trying to smell food. Children deserve to grow up with healthy lungs. If they choose to smoke later, so be it. But personally, I can't understand any adult whose need for a cigarette is more important than their need to protect their kids. If these people aren't going to be responsible for their kids, some one must be, just as if they were beating them or molesting them. All are damaging.

Answer 7

I smoke.. when driving with kids in the car, I don't smoke or I roll down the window.. But I do agree with you..... Its not fair to the kids... and I can understand them banning the smoking in the vehicles.......I will respect that.... Do you smoke in your home? I do but most of the time I keep it in my room....... in nice weather I will go outside...............

Answer 8

It starts with this...basic human rights are being pulled in favor of "health" I smoke to but this is the wrong way to go about things.

Answer 9

it is not the place of the goverment to infringe on are rights to bring are children up whats next will cheese bergers become child abuce becouse of the trans fats will home schooling be outlawed when we let the goverment in to close we take a chance of becoming like comunist countrys where thay can come in and take are children in the midle of the night what if all but one religen was conciterd mental abuce do you see where im going why dont thay just ban cigerets like thay did drinking i no becouse it didnt work

Answer 10

i heard that, it was a certain town in maine. personally i think its a good idea, and i'm a smoker too. when i was younger (12ish) my dad and my step mom toom me down to my grandmas house, we drove from MD to NC and they both smoked the whole way. it wasnt the smoke that bothered me really, it was the fact that it was for thanksgiving and they both had their windows down the whole way!! it was freezing and there was ash all over the back seat by the time we got there. really tho, if you're a smoker you know that when you open the window most of the smoke goes OUT.

whats next? no smoking in our houses if there are kids? i know its not good for them, but dang!