Alberta bans smoking in cars with minors present.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Personally, I don't think it should be the governments job to mandate smoking in vehicles when people like Graham James are sentenced to 2 years in prison for child molestation. I don't think the justification for removing children from "primitive/stupid" Native families in order for the government to assimilate them is any more convincing than removing them for smoking in a car. Would you have supported residential schools as well?

To a large extent we should let people behave stupidly, in the name of freedom, because usually the government DOES NOT KNOW BEST. If you're stupid enough to smoke in car with children you're likely not going to live long anyways.

If this is why you think Child Services takes children from families, of any cultural/ethinic/racial background, then you are obviously very confused about what Child Services does. I don't see how my post relates to this, or residential schools in the slightest degree, except that it is the only example you could find that supported your point. An example that is as outdated and irrelevant as your opinion that all people know to raise their kids properly.

Kids are put in danger in many ways, every single day, by parents who are either too selfish, under educated, or simply unable to understand what they are doing is hurting or killing their kids. If you think that the government should ignore that because it infringes on peoples rights, then you are only giving a severe black eye to every other libertarian minded person out there.

[moon]

I have no problem with the law and agree that it is pretty much common sense, my only question would be how many people this actually will effect.

I would imagine that the number of people smoking in their cars with children would be pretty low and the people who do this are likely either going to be unaware of the law or the type that won't really care or follow it.

Throw in the likelihood that these people are driving past a cop who recognizes it and it seems unlikely this law will change much.

I guess it does no harm it having it on the books just not sure how effective it will be at stopping smoking in cars with children.

[skins]

In a country where health care is paid for by the government, I have no problem with any laws that discourage smoking (an obvious health detriment). While I've done little research on the topic, I find it hard to believe that tobacco tax revenue offsets the costs imposed on the health care system by smokers.

[darklord700]

We are one step closer to the nanny state utopia. Next we should ban people who don't clip their finger nails to take the bus. Amen.

[VladtheImpaler]

I am as libertarian as anyone here, short of Mikey, but I am fine with this law - it's not protecting yourself from your own stupidity; it's protecting someone who is defenseless from your stupidity.

[Lt.Spears]

Originally Posted by darklord700

We are one step closer to the nanny state utopia. Next we should ban people who don't clip their finger nails to take the bus. Amen.

Mmmmk.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I am as libertarian as anyone here, short of Mikey, but I am fine with this law - it's not protecting yourself from your own stupidity; it's protecting someone who is defenseless from your stupidity.

That is pretty much the crux of the argument, it is about protecting a child from potentially lifelong health problems associated with smoking including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, a gambit of cancers and SIDS.

Originally Posted by darklord700

We are one step closer to the nanny state utopia. Next we should ban people who don't clip their finger nails to take the bus. Amen.

I know you disagree with universal health care - so what happens to someone who is screwed over because of their parents stupidity and smoking in a car with a child? They have lifelong health issues that they are faced with - this is something which could potentially cut down on these problems and the cost to society, wouldn't you find this to be a good thing?

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I know you disagree with universal health care - so what happens to someone who is screwed over because of their parents stupidity and smoking in a car with a child?

Should we ban parents with head lice staying in the same household with minors because they can't protect themselves? Where do we stop?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Should we ban parents with head lice staying in the same household with minors because they can't protect themselves? Where do we stop?

I have yet to hear of head lice from causing potentially deadly diseases plus people don't choose to have head lice which are parasites. People do choose to smoke however.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by darklord700

We are one step closer to the nanny state utopia. Next we should ban people who don't clip their finger nails to take the bus. Amen.

I guess when your grandkids start telling stories to their grandkids of how the nanny state started, they'll refer back this momumentous law from the government eh?

"It all began when the Alberta Government decided to fine people for smoking in cars with their kids....and now BAM! We are North Korea X 1 billion."

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

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

every single one of those seem reasonable.

Its just sad as was said earlier on, when common sense fails we need laws to keep us in line.

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I have yet to hear of head lice from causing potentially deadly diseases plus people don't choose to have head lice which are parasites. People do choose to smoke however.

Cool story bro.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Should we ban parents with head lice staying in the same household with minors because they can't protect themselves? Where do we stop?

[burn_this_city]

Some folks in here just need to go for a smoke and clear their heads. I smoke and I really don't have a problem with it. I remember feeling like crap as a kid when my friend's dad would smoke in his jeep while driving us around.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Cool story bro.

Thanks to the contribution, I hope you make mention of this in your memoirs.

[Swarly]

just one more minute timmy, mommy needs a drag.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by darklord700

We are one step closer to the nanny state utopia. Next we should ban people who don't clip their finger nails to take the bus. Amen.

Comments like these are so god damn ignorant. It's like these guys just see "government passes new law" and start typing out their response without even seeing what the new law is.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I have yet to hear of head lice from causing potentially deadly diseases plus people don't choose to have head lice which are parasites. People do choose to smoke however.

People do chose to listen to Megadeth in their car loud with kids too. They should take this opportunity to band loud music in cars to protect minors' hearing too.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by darklord700

People do chose to listen to Megadeth in their car loud with kids too. They should take this opportunity to band loud music in cars to protect minors' hearing too.

There are already laws in existence to deal with music played at excessive volume.

Swing and a miss, that's strike two.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by valo403

There are already laws in existence to deal with music played at excessive volume.

Amen. I'm glad the government is making every decision for me, thus freeing up my mind for other things.