Comments about ‘Smoking in cars may face limit’

As a former smoker and a continuing believer in individual rights I couldn't be more appalled at this story. It seems that even so-called conservative Republicans will go along with any such hare-brained ideas such as anti-smoking in private places as long as its "for the children". This stupid set of ideas is just another way of limiting freedom.

The politican who will take away smokers rights will soon take away rights from people who use perfume or forgot to take a bath. They also stink and should not be allowed to be around children.

When one segment of the population loses rights we all do. If you vote for or support one of these clowns who take away the rights of others, what will you say when they take away your rights? You will probably have lots to say, but no one will come to keep your rights and freedoms from being taken away because then you will be in the minority. Our democratic system government works because the majority of people are right the majority of the time. If we don't protect the rights of the minority we will become a down-trodden minority ourselves.

The EPA's defenition has not panned out or been proven yet and leaves many unanswered studies and questions. Smoking and second hand somke is not a problem with peoples health. Our legislators should be taking a close hard look at the food in our stores if they are concerned about health issues. Our food is killing and harming more people than smoking ever did. There are so many carcenogenic chemicles in our meat and grains yet no one dares confront the issue. We are fed hormones and chemical preservaties by the tons yet it is being ignored. By law these chemical companies are protected from being exposed with all the atrocities they are doing to us yet all we can blame is a smoker who bothers no one. We blame the smoker and tax them to death when the deaths of the american people are being accomplished in the food and drinks they consume. The auto exhaust with its oxides put in the air are not being attacked or taxed a serious toxitic problem than a smoking neighbor. The public needs the real facts about their health problems, not a scape goat attack blaiming smoking.

Since so many of the police smell like a tobacco plantation, I wonder how many of them will enforce this law?

This really is sad! I'm sure Sen. Scott McCoy can find something better to do with his time. Who will inforce such a stupid law? Who will pay for it? I'm almost positive that law enforcement has better things to do than enforce such a law.

This is really sad! I would hope that Sen. Scott McCoy would have better things to do. Who will enforce such a law? Maybe Sen. McCoy doesn't have anything better to do, but I'm sure law enforcement does.

I don't understand why people are against this. All laws are government regulating behavior. If government can't regulate behavior, there can be no stop signs. No laws against abusing kids, no laws against theft. No laws against nothin. People should have enough common sense not to smoke in a car with kids, yet we see it all the time. For people with enough common sense, this new law if passed will have no effect. The only bad thing about this law is that it stops at 5, why not 19, the age that it becomes legal to start smoking?

don't think this goes far enough.....why just children under age 5 years? The ban should include any minor children 12 years old and younger.....they need as much protection as the little ones.

A word of caution to the zealots out there. Do not let the governmant in your house or car. Once a crack is opened, the governmoent will find ways to open it further and be come more intrusive in you life. The nanny/wealfare/socialist stat is waiting to expand and the loon do gooders are opening the flood gates.

This is exactly what C.S. Lewis was talking about when he said: "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busy-bodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

Yes, I'm sure it's all a government plot to gradually take away all of our rights. It has nothing to do with the health and welfare of children. Go tell it to Harry Reid.

First, I don't smoke and I do think it's bad for people but I appose this further government intervention. Same arguments could apply to smoking in the home. Are we prepared to cite adults who smoke in their home with children present? Freedom means some people will make poor choices that have adverse affects on others, even children. I follow the principle that if I am not willing to confront my neighbor about a certain practice then I have no right asking the police to do it. The police, and nosey neighbors, have far more important things to do with their time.

Do we have the police go out into the neighborhoods and fine folks for not turning on their porch lights at night?...It's been proven to deter crime you know and we're all about protecting families. How about throwing mom in jail for giving twinkies to their kids...the kids can't very well eat well and avoid a lifetime of obesity problems if those rotten parents force them into an unhealthy environment. How about we lock up all those creeps who pass out free candy on Halloween.

What was that one that went...

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me.....
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Watch out smokers.... you might be 'me'.

Your rights end where mine begin. I have a right NOT to smoke, so do your children. I grew up in a house where my dad smoked. I had respiratory problems as a child because of it. He died of mesothelioma, cancer of the lungs caused by smoking and aggravated by exposure to asbestos. I was deprived of probably 10 years of life experience with him because of it. Smoking doesn't cause health problems? Give me a break! Doesn't bother anyone? Give me another break! You want to engage in a filthy habit that is detrimental to your health, have at it, but don't impose it on others. Have a great day.

I think we all know what's next... no drinking within sight of a minor.

Some of the posters inferred, or flat out said, that smoking hasn't been proven to hurt people. That is ridiculous! Smoking causes cancer, hypertension, heart disease and strokes.

Some are worried that government is intruding in people's lives. I say it is time for the free ride of smokers to end. Large corporations, Scotts comes to mind, are no longer hiring smokers because their healthcare costs are so high. Those corporations have the right idea. Smoke if you want. I really don't care, but don't expect to have access to Medicare, Medicaid or even third party insurance, unless you are in a smokers only risk pool. That risk pool's premiums would be out of sight by the way.

That is the ultimate form of responsibility. If you choose to smoke, you are removed from the risk pool. That means lower insurance rates for all and smokers paying for the consequences of their actions.

I am in full support of this law. If society can't use the rule of law to protect children, then we are warped in what we value. I hope this law passes and that we provide protection for innocent victims of exposure to toxic chemicals; that is really what this bill is all about and lets not lose sight of that.

The health of young children should come before someone's selfish behavior.

I am a smoker and I think if fellow smokers don't use their brain and are smoking with kids in the car they should definitely be fined. Don't force your children to breathe in the smoke just because you smoke.

Dear Not on My Dime,

Junk food causes obesity, heart disease, cancer. By your logic the government has the right to control what you put in your mouth.

Not in my house!

Isn't the conservative line usually something to the effect of "parents know what is best for their children. We need government out of our lives and they need to let us be the parents, not them."

I guess that line doesn't work in this case.