Proposed Smoking Ban in Cars with Children in Connecticut

[Beartato]

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/loca ... 55921.html

Just heard about this on the radio this morning. A representative in the Connecticut state legislature will be introducing a bill that would attempt to ban smoking in cars that have children in them. Apparently it would apply to cars with children 7 and younger and could only be affixed as a secondary charge during regular traffic stops (i.e., it cannot be the reason to stop the individual). First offense would be a warning with subsequent offences carrying punitive action.

Thoughts?

[Shotgunbob]

I perfectly understand smoking bans in public restaurants and bars seeing as how they are indeed for public use. But trying to ban it inside that persons private property is asinine even if they are trying to justify it as helping children.

[Beartato]

The problem seems to be that a car is not exactly "private property." While police can't just search it without probable cause or a warrant, they can stop you and fine you for not wearing your seat belt, having a young child not in a proper car seat, using a cell phone while driving, etc (depending on your state's laws). I heard the representative sponsoring this bill on the radio today and he said that they couldn't apply this potential law if you were puffing away in your car in your own driveway. It's weird.

Personally I'm not sure which side I'm behind. On one hand, I absolutely hate smoking as it took two of my grandparents away. My grandfather had his larynx removed due to cancer before I was born so I never even heard the man's voice. That sort of thing sticks with you. But on the other hand, the law sounds like it is overreaching and patronizing. People don't like being told how to raise their own kids, for better or worse.

[Spyder]

I don't think it will go through. It will just be a waste of police resources.

[cloud]

The government is trying to make more and more rules to control the public.
Ugh.

[check six]

my rights are being infringed upon! i don't want the gubment to tell me what to do! they can't tell me to not smoke during pregnancy!

why is this bad

smoking is bad
secondhand smoke is bad for children
they try to protect children
i am incapable of seeing anything wrong with this

i guess

[Ninja]

They have a rule like this in California.
You are not allowed to smoke in a car with anyone under the age limit of 16.

[Beartato]

They have a rule like this in California.
You are not allowed to smoke in a car with anyone under the age limit of 16.

That's pretty intense. Looks like it's been about five years since that law hit the books so I'd guess it has been well received.

I kinda wonder if this encourages people to use alternatives like e-cigs and dip in the car.

[Maringue]

Seriously, ashtrays are an option on cars now. A $500 option. Also, you can't even get a car with smokers window anymore.

I have no problem with making it illegal to smoke in a car with a small child. People who do that are assholes anyway.