Smoking in the car

[DaveW]

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/151141/

I thought this was interesting... and was actually amazed that it wasn't a law here in CA first!

[bigsteel15]

I agree with that law, but $25 fine?
I am a smoker and will admit to having smoked when my daughter is in the car, but with my window wide open on long trips.
She's 4 and gives me a hard time about it....I really do need to quit "daddy's bad thing".

Regarding the workplace, OH&S here in Alberta has passed a new regulation that no smoking is allowed in welding shops. I work in a welding shop.
The issue isn't second hand smoke, but the fumes from welding being sucked into the lungs of the smoker. It also bans eating and open-toppped drinks.
We haven't been able to smoke in most workplaces for a couple years now. Restaurants and bars have to have a vented, seperate area.

[Thom2]

We've had a law like that on the books here in PA for several years now, except it goes quite a bit further. No smoking in a car with a child under the age of 14 (I believe, it may even be 16). I'm not sure what the fines are, come to think of it, I don't know that I've ever heard of it actually being enforced.


*edit*
Iinteresting, I can't seem to find any reference to this actually being on the books, I was sure it passed as there was such a big tadoo about it when it was brought up.

I do know for a fact that it was written into my custody order that I was not to smoke in the vehicle OR my own home with my daughter present. In fact, my primary custody was dependant upon me taking a mini class on the dangers of second hand smoke to a child.

[scorrpio]

Working in New York, I as a non-smoker get to enjoy the draconian anti-smoke measures of the Mayor. Can go anywhere without worring that someone next to me is going to light up. (tobacco smoke gives me a massive headache) We usually go out to places in the City, and it is a bit of a shock to see people smoking in restaurants when we go someplace near home, or a on a trip.

As for smoking drivers... argh. I once had a major scare and almost crashed when a still-lit cigarette butt someone flung out the window hit my windshield, spraying sparks all over it.

[BobSch]

Working in New York, I as a non-smoker get to enjoy the draconian anti-smoke measures of the Mayor. Can go anywhere without worring that someone next to me is going to light up. (tobacco smoke gives me a massive headache) We usually go out to places in the City, and it is a bit of a shock to see people smoking in restaurants when we go someplace near home, or a on a trip.

As for smoking drivers... argh. I once had a major scare and almost crashed when a still-lit cigarette butt someone flung out the window hit my windshield, spraying sparks all over it.

Around here it's a county-by-county thing — a restaurant on one side of the street can allow smoking, while one on the other side can't.

As far as people tossing their butts (or anything else) out of car windows goes... Back when I was still riding bikes, some oaf in a 'Vette tossed his butt out and it landed right on top of my gas tank. He was a bit put out when I tossed it back to him at the next light.

[Tundra_Man]

As for smoking drivers... argh. I once had a major scare and almost crashed when a still-lit cigarette butt someone flung out the window hit my windshield, spraying sparks all over it.

I've had this happen many times, except that I ride a motorcycle. Burning cigarette butts flying from car windows are a daily obstacle. I caught the hot tip of one square in the forehead one day; thankfully it bounced off before the burn was real bad. When I got home, my wife asked me what the red dot was on my forehead. I'm surprised it was noticable over the redness of my face from the anger.

If someone wants to smoke, that's they're business. The wisdom of their decision can be debateable. However, they cross the line into utter stupidity once they start flinging them out of car windows. There's no excuse for that. At best, they're a litterbug. At worst, they can cause injury or fires. Either way they're wrong.

I'm generally a pretty laid back guy, however cigarettes tossed from car windows are one of the things that push my hot buttons.

[vaking]

So let me see:
One cannot smoke in his/her car if there is a child fastened in child seat present in the car unless that smoker can prove that he/she had entered a smoking cessation program. Should one violate the rule stated above that person is liable to a $25 fine.
Sounds like "One cannot smoke under water" law. I am not disputing the validity of this law but how often do you expect to see it used or how strong do you think this will be as a detterent to smoking in a car with a child.

[BobSch]

I'm generally a pretty laid back guy, however cigarettes tossed from car windows are one of the things that push my hot buttons.

How about the never-to-be-sufficiently-d***ed oafs who empty thier ashtrays in parking lots?