Alright, this is a little too much from me... (Smoking ban with kids in car)

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Why does this thread have to keep getting derailed? It's ONE law that is potentially coming into place to protect children from parents who are too stupid in this day and age to know that smoking in your car with your children present is just plain stupid. Then people keep coming back with sarcastic remarks about how we should just legislate everything.

I am a non-smoker that thinks smoking is over-legislated.

A lot of comments in this thread translate to "I want a nanny state!"

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Dion

You wouldn't believe how many times I've been told to eff off, take a hike, mind your own effing business , etc etc

If a parent is endangering the health of a child, they do not deserve the respect of others!

I'm glad you've been told off. It means you've cared enough to put yourself at risk. I wonder how many folks here who like this law have never cared enough to speak out when they witnessed someone doing it.

I do disagree with your second statement. I've known some very good parents who took a long time to get on the boat(and a few who never caught the boat) on this not smoking near your children ethic. I respect the sacrifices they've made and the good things they've instilled in they're kids. One failing doesn't make for a bad parent.

I guess as a parent I have a lot of empathy for parents. Children are a huge investment. In a sense they are project that occupies the greater part of your adult life and is what you leave the world when you go. For someone to come along and criticize my work having invested nothing to it themselves really irks me.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Gozer

I am a non-smoker that thinks smoking is over-legislated.

A lot of comments in this thread translate to "I want a nanny state!"

Yeah, looks the same way to me.

Its the same thing with fast-food, I hate it.....said that many times on here before, but the only thing the government should do about it is force the restaurants to provide complete nutritional information about the food they're selling.

Despite a lot of people dying from heart problems as a direct result of eating unhealthy, I still feel it would be a better idea to educate instead of legislate.

Same thing with this smoking law. Target kids and teach them about the dangers of second-hand smoke. They're the ones who are going to challenge their parents, probably better than anyone else.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

I'm glad you've been told off. It means you've cared enough to put yourself at risk. I wonder how many folks here who like this law have never cared enough to speak out when they witnessed someone doing it.

A couple of times i've been grabbed by the scruff of the neck and threatened within an inch of my life. Some parents get quite hostile when you critise their parenting skills.

I do disagree with your second statement. I've known some very good parents who took a long time to get on the boat(and a few who never caught the boat) on this not smoking near your children ethic. I respect the sacrifices they've made and the good things they've instilled in they're kids. One failing doesn't make for a bad parent.

You clearly have more patience than me. I ended a friendship some years ago over smoking in a car with kids present.

I agree that one failing does not make them a bad parent. I guess the fact that i grew up in a smoking home where my parents forced me to breathe in that stench makes me less tolerant of descions like this.

I guess as a parent I have a lot of empathy for parents. Children are a huge investment. In a sense they are project that occupies the greater part of your adult life and is what you leave the world when you go. For someone to come along and criticize my work having invested nothing to it themselves really irks me.

I can see where parents can get upset. I used to take care of my sisters 2 kids when they took a vacation. Parenting is not easy and creates many challenges. Still parents should never think that thier skills could not be improved.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

I guess as a parent I have a lot of empathy for parents. Children are a huge investment. In a sense they are project that occupies the greater part of your adult life and is what you leave the world when you go. For someone to come along and criticize my work having invested nothing to it themselves really irks me.

Isn’t that the point? If you invest in something you want to care for it not abuse it

Just because you have invested time/money/energy into raising your children doesn’t mean you are exempt from criticism

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Why does this thread have to keep getting derailed? It's ONE law that is potentially coming into place to protect children from parents who are too stupid in this day and age to know that smoking in your car with your children present is just plain stupid. Then people keep coming back with sarcastic remarks about how we should just legislate everything.

I thought having quoted Fotze that I didn't need green text.

Sorry.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Gozer

I am a non-smoker that thinks smoking is over-legislated.

A lot of comments in this thread translate to "I want a nanny state!"

Yep. And I'm not just agreeing because I like the odd cigar. If the public and governments want to stop smoking badly enough, they should just make it illegal. Classify it as a banned substance and throw people in jail for smoking it, just like pot. The current approach sets precedents for legislating lifestyle choices that could lead in unintended directions. So if the intent is to stop people from smoking, don't mess around with these indirect methods that result in the erosion of individual rights. Instead, take the direct approach and make the stuff illegal. That would also prove that the government is sincere and not just beating around the bush because they're addicted to tobacco taxes just as badly as smokers are addicted to nicotine. In the meantime, the approach they're taking makes me wonder if that isn't the case and that the whole issue is just a convenient way to erode individual rights.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by J pold

Isn’t that the point? If you invest in something you want to care for it not abuse it

Just because you have invested time/money/energy into raising your children doesn’t mean you are exempt from criticism

But you should be exempt from the government telling you how to raise your kids.

Personally, if firmly believe that if anyone did a study on the correlation between parents who smoke, and parents who have a very unhealthy eating style.....they'd find out that the latter cause more harm to their kids in the long run.

Second hand smoke is dangerous....I know, but exposing children to poor eating habits, fast food, fried food, basic junk food....and they'll more than likely adopt that same lifestyle...well, in the long run that probably creates MORE problems than second hand smoke ever will.

But no, nobody wants to ban people from eating what they want. And neither do I. But I do want to educate people.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Azure

Personally, if firmly believe that if anyone did a study on the correlation between parents who smoke, and parents who have a very unhealthy eating style.....they'd find out that the latter cause more harm to their kids in the long run.

I grew up in a smoking home and both my brother and sister have developed asthma. Myself i have a very poor lung capacity. Not one of us ever took up smoking.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Call a bylaw officer if it is that big of a deal. Sorry for my curt response but that has nothing at all to do with this discussion.

It has a lot to do with the discussion and what I quoted. It goes to show what happens when you try to educate someone. They tell you to F-off and to mind your own business.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by shane_c

It has a lot to do with the discussion and what I quoted. It goes to show what happens when you try to educate someone. They tell you to F-off and to mind your own business.

And if someone told me to slow down when I was speeding I would tell them to f-off, depending on how they approached me. I am sure they were aware the area isn't and off leash area but they just don't care. Why did you care? It would only upset me if their dog dropped a giant deuce on my lawn and they didn't pick it up.

I don't know what a reasonable solution is to this problem tbqh. The problem is people being inconsiderate and no matter what you do you won't be able to change some people.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Like I said, I am all for no smoking in a vehicle with children or in buildings but saying I have no rights to smoke in public on the street because you want fresh air is you taking the issue to far. There is no clean air and I don't see you whining about buses and other vehicles that drive by you emmiting much more crap then my cigarette does and yet I am sure if I was standing beside you on the street smoking it would be me that would get the dirty look. If I want to go up on my roof and suck smoke out of my chimney that is my right, it is not affecting you whatsoever. I am willing to keep my smoke to myself and not share it with others but the anti-smoking crusaders drive me nuts!

I meant public places such as bars, restaurants, etc. If you want to smoke walking down the street or if you want to suck smoke out of your chimney then go nuts. Kill yourself all you want but leave the rest of us out of it.

[RougeUnderoos]

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Gozer

I am a non-smoker that thinks smoking is over-legislated.

A lot of comments in this thread translate to "I want a nanny state!"

One law that looks to deter the kids of stupid parents isn't exactly a nanny state. You have many postings that try to make a point by making massive and unreasonable comparisons.

Not smoking around kids is a small contained area like a car is about protecting people who can't protect themselves.

And no it's the same as outlawing driving because driving kills people.

Driving has a utility associated with it, smoking is just serving a needless and senseless addiction.

Ultimately lives are not priceless, that is why driving at the one in ten million risk of dieing is ok. The utility justifies the risk ... but there is no real benefit to smoking ... which makes that comparison ridiculous.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by shane_c

I meant public places such as bars, restaurants, etc. If you want to smoke walking down the street or if you want to suck smoke out of your chimney then go nuts. Kill yourself all you want but leave the rest of us out of it.

LOVE it!!! What episode's that from again? I know I've seen it, it's from like season 4 or something. My new profile pic!

[The Fonz]

People still smoke...?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Dion

I grew up in a smoking home and both my brother and sister have developed asthma. Myself i have a very poor lung capacity. Not one of us ever took up smoking.

I realize that it can be harmful.

But is it more harmful than obesity, poor heart health, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many other problems that you encounter with being unhealthy and eating like a pig?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

People still smoke...?

Some do, but I'd venture to say because of the fact that more 'kids' are being educated at a younger age about the negative effects of smoking, the overall percentage of people who smoke has gone down considerably.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Azure

I realize that it can be harmful.

But is it more harmful than obesity, poor heart health, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many other problems that you encounter with being unhealthy and eating like a pig?

You can reverse the health problems you stated by going on a proper diet and exercising.

You can't reverse asthma.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Dion

You can reverse the health problems you stated by going on a proper diet and exercising.

You can't reverse asthma.

And how many people actually DO reverse their health problems?

Obesity is a GROWING problem in North America. Not a decreasing one.

Smoking is clearly on the decrease though.