I want to preface this rant by saying that I am a non-smoker, and am no fan of cigarettes, or Big Tobacco in general. But as a firm believer in individual rights, I have to draw the line somewhere. A bill (AB 379) has been introduced in the California State Assembly to ban parents or other adults from smoking in cars with children.
I want to preface this rant by saying that I am a non-smoker, and am no fan of cigarettes, or Big Tobacco in general. But as a firm believer in individual rights, I have to draw the line somewhere. A bill (AB 379) has been introduced in the California State Assembly to ban parents or other adults from smoking in cars with children. However, I was even more surprised to find out that California isn’t the first state to propose and/or adopt such a measure. Two states, Louisiana and Arkansas, who are not exactly known for their progressive politics, have already adopted these measures.
I am by no means saying that I think smoking in cars with children is a good thing. It is repulsive, selfish, and inconsiderate. But for the nanny state to come in and ban you from doing something stupid within your personal property is overstepping what I believe are the constitutional bounds of government. In many states, smoking has been essentially banned except your personal residence. I can, as a resident of California, appreciate the difference this has made in my overall enjoyment when eating out and in public places. I’m made especially aware of the “bad old days” when I travel to Nevada, which has to be one of the last great tobacco havens.
What I find somewhat especially amusing is that the people who loudly decry the dangers of tobacco more often than not are of the same political persuasion as those who want to legalize marijuana. Is this some sort of ploy to stick it to Big Business; i.e., embodied by Big Tobacco? What if history had taken a different turn and marijuana was what tobacco has become today? What if RJ Reynolds had made its billions cultivating and selling pot? Would the dialogue be the same?
Children are the unfortunate victims of second-hand smoke, and—possibly–countless cases of childhood asthma and other respiratory disorders have been triggered by smoke-filled environments. But when does so-called “protecting the young” by the government end? Is the day coming when police will knock down the door and take custody of children in smokers’ homes? Despite progressive politicians well-meaning intentions, they should step back every once and a while and consider what it means to be an American and have the maturity and wisdom to accept the sometimes unfortunate consequences of upholding and preserving individual rights.
12 comments so far
I think it should be banned :\
http://www.carchops.com
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:05 pm
I think it should be banned too. :-/ It’s very irresponsible of a parent to give their children free lung cancer. Sorry, but I agree with this law.
August 24th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
This is a ridiculous bill. It all comes back to the same argument. Should people need licences to have children. Parents should have the right to decide what is good for their children. Laws should not have the power to meddle in the affairs of families any further than it does.
August 28th, 2006 at 12:47 am
Its not crossing the line at all. What if instead of tobacco, people smoked asbestos? Should parents be allowed to light up a stick of asbestos and blow the smoke into their childrens breathing space? No way. Why should tobacco be any different?
Parents who do this should be forced to take a health education course to explain to them in graphic detail what the effects of smoking will do to themselves and their children.
You worry about a slippery slope but tobacco is a unique case because its damaging effects are very well characterized, and parents have no excuse for polluting their childrens air with smoke.
When it comes to household products (paint, typical cleaners, new carpeting), that pollute the air with known carcinogens, the receiver of blame becomes more grey. Most people arent aware that the new carpet smell, or the new car smell is actually from toxic chemicals being out-gassed into the air. In these cases the best step forward is to do more to educate the public, do more research on the effects of these chemicals, and force companies to comply with new regulations.
Bringing mary-J into the discussion is just a distraction. Smoking pot actually impedes cancer because it prevents excessive cell division. But I still think it should be eaten/brewed rather than smoked.
August 30th, 2006 at 7:03 am
Yes, this is a slippery slope topic, but I think that if the slippery slope only leads to policing stupid people, then it’s a slope I want to be on.
August 30th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
Laws are about defining where one person’s rights begin and another person’s end. No matter what your beliefs are when it comes to the health risks of second hand smoke it’s not fair for a person to expose an innocent by-stander to a potential health hazard especially a baby.
I was a child exposed to a parents heavy second hand smoke for years. Today I’m a severe allergic asthmatic who has been hospitalized several times. Now I don’t blame my mom for my asthma (except for bad genes maybe. LOL) But I do think the smoking directly attributed to some of the attacks.
So if you want to smoke…cool. Just keep it outside and away from other people. It’s not fair to play russian roulette with another person’s health.
September 2nd, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Roll on the day when a mother can be reported for smoking in a car with all the windows closed with baby sat in baby seat. My friends car and flat is always full of cigarette smoke. She smokes 30 a day round her baby.
October 28th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
parents should decide whats right&wrong for kids not bills
bills go too far
December 3rd, 2006 at 5:14 am
if moms smoke around there kids, they should not have kids ok we all know that
but you only live once smoke around kids if u want, family can say something to parents if it turns into a huger deal or they think it is , thats why theres family!!!!!!!!!!!
other family can tell mom to not smoke around kelly or timmy etc… go outside, smoke after you drop john off at school, smoke outside or after kids all in bed etc yes ok we know or better
December 3rd, 2006 at 5:17 am
well smoking is banned in 90% of usa so there doing something,
December 3rd, 2006 at 5:18 am
what you all think?
December 5th, 2006 at 3:46 am
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October 21st, 2007 at 5:38 am
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