Oh Canada(Ontario)

[USAFANG67]

Anti-smoking auto law introduced in Ontario
Toronto, Ontario – The Ontario government introduced legislation yesterday that, if passed, will ban smoking in motor vehicles when children are present.
“I am extremely pleased that Premier McGuinty and (Health) Minister (Margarett) Best are moving forward with legislation to protect Ontario’s children from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in automobiles,” said David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, who introduced the issue in a private member’s bill. “This initiative is an important step in our government’s continuing commitment to make Ontario a healthier place to live.”
Under the proposed law, anyone in the motor vehicle who is smoking while someone else under the age of 16 is present would be committing an offense, whether it is the driver or a passenger. The proposed law would apply to both moving and stationary vehicles, and would apply to all motor vehicles, regardless of whether any window, sunroof, roof, door or other feature is open. If the act is passed, every person who fails to comply would be guilty of an offense and subject to a set fine of $250.
The government said that secondhand smoke in motor vehicles can be up to 27 times more concentrated than in a smoker’s home, and that children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer health problems such as sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, and cancer and cardiac disease later in life. It can also negatively affect behaviour and attention span, and influence a child’s ability to reason and understand.
Nova Scotia, Yukon, Arkansas, California, Maine, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, South Australia and Tasmania have already banned smoking in motor vehicles when children are present.

[Mainerunr]

it all started here with one of the larger cities banning it (and by larger I mean like 35k ). Less than a year later and it's statewide. I dont think it met with much if any resistance either. (unlike the no smoking in bars/restaurants that the owners all cried they would lose business but now they have more business than ever since more non-smokers are going out).

Also no smoking is allowed in foster homes here in Maine.

[smadsen8486]

it really irks me how the government wants to step even farther into the habits of private citizens these days. First they ban smoking in bars/resturants, and so on which are PRIVATE establishments. I really think they should have left that up to the individual places to decide as you would have had a a solid 50/50 split of places going to pro or non smoking and crowds would be unchanged. But now they want to tell private citizens they can't smoke in their own cars?

I am a long time smoker, and god willing I really want to quit one day soon. Even if I do quit and even if I agree with not exposing children to second hand smoke, I am a STRONG believer in smokers rights. We have been tossed to the crub for a bad habit we just can't break.

I don't know why but honestly I can see tabacoo being outlawed in the US in the next decade, call me crazy but it might just happen.

[adrenaline503]

I think it is a great law. If people used common sense there wouldn't be laws like this. Its simple. Is smoking in a car with children harmful? Yes. Logically, should you do it? No. Do people still do it? Yes. People should just be responsible to begin with. I mean, pretty much everyone is against child endangerment. So whats child endangerment, choosing an action that harms a kid. So whats the hang up exactly? People just REALLY needing a smoke is a pretty lame explanation. And before the hating starts, I smoked Parliaments for years. Call me a socialist, I'll call you selfish.

[jers]

Originally Posted by smadsen8486

I don't know why but honestly I can see tabacoo being outlawed in the US in the next decade, call me crazy but it might just happen.

Good. Then maybe we can convert all those tobacco farms into more useful crops.

Originally Posted by USAFANG67

Nova Scotia, Yukon, Arkansas, California, Maine, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, South Australia and Tasmania have already banned smoking in motor vehicles when children are present.

That's wack?? Glad you were not my parent. A child has no say in something that is potentially damaging their bodies. It's not our fault that there are stupid, selfish people who need laws to try and stop them from doing common sense things. Aren't laws placed to protect citizens... well this is.

[Aussie Frontier]

I am a smoker but I never smoke in the house or in the truck when the kids are in.I never smoke with the windows up and always open them all before the kids get in.
I agree its going too far as far as the government telling us what to do but in this cae I beleive its a good thing.
In the ACT where I live they tried to ban smoking in cars that children may ride in so I wouldnt be able to smoke even when the kids arent in the car.Needless to say that didnt happen.

[USAFANG67]

If the so called Govt(no matter which country)were to band all smoking and everybody gave up smoking where do you think they would come looking to to make up for all that lost revenue.......yes you got it.........the taxpayers!!
Govts will not be denied from milking money from the taxpayers regardless of which country you live in.

That's wack?? Glad you were not my parent. A child has no say in something that is potentially damaging their bodies. It's not our fault that there are stupid, selfish people who need laws to try and stop them from doing common sense things. Aren't laws placed to protect citizens... well this is.

I'm apposed to the ever encroaching laws our Govt imposes on our daily lives.
Personal responsibility and common sense should not have to be mandated by laws.

[nicetier]

Originally Posted by adrenaline503

I think it is a great law. If people used common sense there wouldn't be laws like this. Its simple. Is smoking in a car with children harmful? Yes. Logically, should you do it? No. Do people still do it? Yes. People should just be responsible to begin with. I mean, pretty much everyone is against child endangerment. So whats child endangerment, choosing an action that harms a kid. So whats the hang up exactly? People just REALLY needing a smoke is a pretty lame explanation. And before the hating starts, I smoked Parliaments for years. Call me a socialist, I'll call you selfish.

Very well stated....TY!!

[Mainerunr]

Originally Posted by USAFANG67

If the so called Govt(no matter which country)were to band all smoking and everybody gave up smoking where do you think they would come looking to to make up for all that lost revenue.......yes you got it.........the taxpayers!!
Govts will not be denied from milking money from the taxpayers regardless of which country you live in.



I'm apposed to the ever encroaching laws our Govt imposes on our daily lives.
Personal responsibility and common sense should not have to be mandated by laws.

I personally am opposed to having to deal with smoke. If people had any common sense, laws wouldnt be necessary at all.

Originally Posted by smadsen8486

it really irks me how the government wants to step even farther into the habits of private citizens these days. First they ban smoking in bars/resturants, and so on which are PRIVATE establishments. I really think they should have left that up to the individual places to decide as you would have had a a solid 50/50 split of places going to pro or non smoking and crowds would be unchanged. But now they want to tell private citizens they can't smoke in their own cars?

I am a long time smoker, and god willing I really want to quit one day soon. Even if I do quit and even if I agree with not exposing children to second hand smoke, I am a STRONG believer in smokers rights. We have been tossed to the crub for a bad habit we just can't break.

I don't know why but honestly I can see tabacoo being outlawed in the US in the next decade, call me crazy but it might just happen.

so tell me, why does you right to smoke outweigh my right to not have to breathe in your second hand smoke? restaurants here cried that they would lose business when they banned smoking in restaurants and bars and guess what? business BOOMED after they did it because the smokers can either go outside to smoke or just go without for a couple hours meanwhile, the non smokers who were avoiding places that allowed smoking (all of them...they all had the option before the law to prohibit smoking and none did) started going out again.

as for telling them they cant smoke in their own cars, kind of. you can smoke in your car, just not if a minor is present...common sense although I'm not sure I see it helping much since the kid is still trapped with you in the house...(unless you're a foster parent in Maine, then you cant smoke in your own house).

[rorybellows]

just gettin blown way out of proportion roll down a window i myself smoke and cant stand stagnant smoke in my truck, so what do i do, i open a window or two no big deal come on people what next no farting in car because of the methane WTF?!