Reader comments
Smoking in cars prohibition passes Senate

I have really mixed feelings about this. Government is stepping more and more into personal affairs and choices than ever before.

That said, I was always sick as a child and today I have several breathing ailments, all caused by second hand smoke. My immune system is depressed and I catch most of whatever is going around.

This is a hard one to address.

I feel very strongly 2nd hand smoking will contribute to my death. I live in an apartment where too many people smoke and get severe chest pains all the time and can hardly breathe and my voice changes to where I start to sound like Rod Stewart when I sing. This is when I am in my room. Where are my rights. I am for banning smoking entirely. These smokers are contributing to murder since many people die often from 2nd hand smoke.

It would be nice if people would DRIVE in cars instead of all these other things they want to do. They should be forced to smoke a given distance from the car entrance like they have to do with public buildings.

You have to be kidding...even the thought of children being exposed to this toxic dread is horrible and then not enforcing it? It is not about government intervention, rather it is about the right of a child to lead an asthma free life. This is all about smokers who could care less about the welfare of others, flicking their burnt out cigarette butts out the window, forcing an unwanted substance down the throat/lungs of others, and so on.

maybe parents should be fined for letting there children eat fast food or maybe they should go to jail for using cleaning agents in there homes that can damage the childs lungs. Do people understand, smoker or not, what there children are given and exposed to everyday. Do you want the goverment controling every aspect of our lives. I thought this was a free america

As a recovery room nurse I see that smokers and those exposed to 2nd hand smoke have more problems waking from anesthesia. It definitely increases risks of surgery. The children are innocent victims. I have a niece who has several handicaps because my sister smoked during her pregnancy. I know the guilt she has lived with. I don't know how to make smokers realize the damage they do to themselves and to others. I don't think legislation can do it. We can't force people to do the right thing. They have to want it themselves.

Suzie - No you shouldn't need to be commanded in everything and a lot of people might just avoid smoking in a car with a baby present.

Yes you have rights to do as you see fit and there will be consequences (good or bad) for your decision BUT I was always taught that my rights to do what I pleased ceased when I started to effect the lives of others.

I can swing my arms wildly but when my fist hits your nose, well my rights are effecting you.

For most people, this restriction won't effect them very much, but for those who do not respect the rights of others, I guess if they don't act on their own then they will have to be subject regulations to help protect those children.

I HOPE IT PASSES !!

I'm afraid that the proposal to ban smoking in cars occupied by children represents an
unwarranted intrusion into the privacy and autonomy of parenthood. The autonomy to
make one's own decision about risks to subject a child to is not to be interfered with lightly.
It should only be done in cases where there is a substantial threat of severe harm
to the child. Interfering with parental autonomy in a case where there is only minor
risk involved is unwarranted.

Thomas Laprade

Some of us are old enough to remember when people smoked everywhere, including around us kids and we grew up to be the US generation with the longest life expectancy ever. Today, Japan has one of the highest smoking rates and the longest life expectancy inthe world. This latest business is justmore hysteria to justify another attack on smokers. And another excuse for cops to write tickets and teh government to collect fines.

I am a smoker. I choose to not smoke in my car on my own. However, it is not the governments responsibility to give me parenting advice. I am also a courteous smoker and stay away from other people and their children. I also throw my butts away in the trash and don't litter. My husband fights for our FREEDOM to make our own choices, not to have limitations on how we choose to parent. This bill will further take away our freedom to be parents. In response to Greatful Dead, you chose to live with smokers. Move out if you don't like it. Jim F, Harry L, and L: I have the right to smoke in my car whether my kids are in it or not, just like you have the right to let your children watch the news, Simpsons and certain movies, eat candy and fatty foods, play videogames. YOU are the parent so it's your responsibility to make the right choice, not the governments. I agree that people shouldn't smoke around kids however, it's not in my authority to tell anyone otherwise. Neither is it the governments. It's discrimination against smokers.