Alberta bans smoking in cars with minors present.

[corporatejay]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...n.html?cmp=rss

As anti-smoking as I am i think this just goes too far. I'm not suggesting it's healthy for children, but how about we fine parents for feeding their fat toddlers at Mcdonald's?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Does this mean I can't smoke in my car if my g/f is with me?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Does this mean I can't smoke in my car if my g/f is with me?

That depends on whether you are still trawling the junior high circuit...

[Jimdon]

You'd have to be pretty ignorant to do it in the first place. It's a shame we need laws to govern peoples lack of common sense.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...n.html?cmp=rss

As anti-smoking as I am i think this just goes to far.

I don't think so. Smoking is hazardous to health, and minors don't have any real defense to stand up to their parents or guardian smoking in the car since they're dependent on them, so they have to put up with the smoke.

These parents might still do it at home, but at least this is trying to limit second hand smoke to the kids as much as possible.

I wonder how this will work for though for teens that look close to 18. Cops gonna pull the car over and then realize it's only adults in the car?

[Rathji]

The biggest problem about smoking in a car with kids is that even with the window open a crack, the smoke concentration is very high.

This is a very good step.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...n.html?cmp=rss

As anti-smoking as I am i think this just goes to far. I'm not suggesting it's healthy for children, but how about we fine parents for feeding their fat toddlers at Mcdonald's?

I hate this argument that you made - just because something else is bad (in this case obesity and eating at McDonalds) I fail to see how this is justification for something else that is also bad (smoking in cars with children present). As far as I am concerned it is just unfortunate that people would be willing to sacrifice their children's health because of an addiction.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Does this mean I can't smoke in my car if my g/f is with me?

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...n.html?cmp=rss

As anti-smoking as I am i think this just goes to far. I'm not suggesting it's healthy for children, but how about we fine parents for feeding their fat toddlers at Mcdonald's?

How does feeding fat toddlers McDonald's make smoking in a car okay. So often when someone is trying to solve a problem the opposition is to point out an irrelevant alternate problem. Should fat kids be eating Big Macs? Probably not, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to smoke in a car with that child. Why do both problems have to be solved at once? Why can't we stop parents from smoking in a car with a minor, and then move on to the next one?

I don't see how anyone can argue that smoking in a car when there is a child in it is healthy and/or good for the child. The adults have made their choice to smoke, but the children shouldn't have to suffer. In no way, shape or form does this have anything to do with McDonald's, unless they are driving to or from McDonald's.

[The Yen Man]

I'm in favour of this. When common sense doesn't work, then make a law to force people to do it.

Besides, any law that may be pain to Joe "flick my cigarette butt out the window" Blow is a good thing in my books.

[Lobotroth]

Who cares? Second-hand smoke is harmless anyways.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Wow, 11 posts on a new law that comes with a hefty fine, and still no one calling it a cash cow. I'm sure it'll happen though.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Does this mean I can't smoke in my car if my g/f is with me?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Wow, 11 posts on a new law that comes with a hefty fine, and still no one calling it a cash cow. I'm sure it'll happen though.

Might be because this is a bit different than blowing past a multinova van at 12 over the speed limit as there is direct physical damage occurring to the children involved.

[Bootsy]

I understand it and it makes sense but these smoking laws irk me for some reason.
The one banning it in bars was worse as I feel as that descion should be on the bar owner not the government. People should be able to make up their own minds if they want to go into a smoking establishment or not. I'd personally rather just see them ban the selling of smokes all together but of course that'll never happen because they make too much money off the tobacco taxes.

[The Yen Man]

I view this like the seatbelt law, so no I don't consider it a cash cow like multinova's and speed on green cameras. Like the seatbelt law, once people get used to it, they'll look back and think smoking in a car with kids is weird (like smoking public indoor facilities is viewed now)

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Bootsy

I understand it and it makes sense but these smoking laws irk me for some reason.
The one banning it in bars was worse as I feel as that descion should be on the bar owner not the government. People should be able to make up their own minds if they want to go into a smoking establishment or not. I'd personally rather just see them ban the selling of smokes all together but of course that'll never happen because they make too much money off the tobacco taxes.

I bet they spend more money than that on the health care related costs. That difference will only increase as the number of people who stop smoking increases.

Give it 20 years, as less and less people continue to smoke, and you will be seeing it come up since it won't be political suicide to whoever attempts it.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I don't see how anyone can argue that smoking in a car when there is a child in it is healthy and/or good for the child. The adults have made their choice to smoke, but the children shouldn't have to suffer. In no way, shape or form does this have anything to do with McDonald's, unless they are driving to or from McDonald's.

I found the opposite logic. Once they pass this they will move on to banning happy meals or some other feel good legislation.
While I am generally against laws that limit personal choice I don't have any specific problems with this ban, not being a smoker or a parent I won't be affected. I just don't like the trend towards a nanny state where governments invoke bans to appease voters and give the illusion that they are doing something.

To see where this could be headed take a look at San Francisco

• In order to curb aggressive panhandling, San Francisco outlawed sitting on the street between the hours of 7am and 11pm.
• Advertisements in San Francisco cannot “promote the use of firearms or advocate any violent action.” The poster for The Other Guy had all the weapons removed just for San Francisco's Muni system last summer.
• As a protest to the state's strict immigration policies, city employees (except for police officers investigating a crime) are not allowed to travel to Arizona.
• Soda and juice drinks with no real fruit juice cannot be sold from vending machines on city property.
• Segways are not allowed on sidewalks or bike paths because the mayor of San Francisco thought they promoted laziness.
• It's illegal to sell baby chickens, ducks, and rabbits in San Francisco.
• Tobacco cigarettes are not allowed to be smoked in buildings, and clove cigarettes are not permitted to be sold in the city at all.
• City money cannot be used to purchase bottled water and it cannot be sold from vending machines on city property.
• Plastic bags are currently not allowed at large chain supermarkets and drug stores, but they are considering expanding the ban to all stores.
• Toys in happy meals are no longer allowed

[malcolmk14]

The only people who would be upset about this rule are the ones who shouldn't have children.

[Lt.Spears]

I cant wait until they ban smoking all together.