And you think we have it bad. Kalifornia for ya..

[TheMan]

From Yahoo News:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California motorists will risk fines of up to $100 next year if they are caught smoking in cars with minors, making their state the third to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. But the traffic stop would have to be made for another offense, such as speeding or an illegal turn, before the driver could be cited for smoking.

The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, joins a string of smoking prohibitions adopted in California, including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground.

A Harvard School of Public Health report issued last year said secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home.

"Protecting the health of our children is among government's highest responsibilities," said the bill's author, state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat. "It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to do."

At least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. Arkansas now bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, while Louisiana has limited it when children 13 and younger are in the vehicle. Maine lawmakers will take up the issue in January.

Dangers of smoking aside, don't you think this is going just a little to far?

[bubbysgarage]

I say its a load of crap. The government is taking away our freedoms one at a time. Whats next? I myself would much rather pass a person driving the opposite direction as me smoking than I would the teenager who is leaned over into the passenger floorboard looking for their cell phone or a cd that fell. This is getting outta control.

[tkcomer]

Next thing to happen is they will be arresting the parents for leaving them in the car as they step outside to smoke. Jeeze. If they really want to protect the kids, how about educating them? Make 'em take 2 years of civics, one whole year on just WHY we had a revolution and what the founding fathers had in mind (You know, the Constitution) for this country, plus, how this country is supposed to work. That way, when they grow up, they can vote these nanny state do gooders out of office.

[kdown]

For Massachusetts canines, flatbed freedom and tongues flapping in the breeze on the open road may soon go to the dogs.

Martin Walsh, a state lawmaker from Dorchester, Mass., may file legislation that will require dog owners to restrain their pets when driving in a vehicle.

"There's no reason for a dog to be running around a car," the Democratic representative told ABC News. "What happens if the dog decides to chase something, a fly that came in the car or something? The dog will go after it and the car will swerve."

The dog seat belt law would likely be part of a broader bill that might also try to outlaw pit bulls as pets in the state of Massachusetts, Walsh said.

If it is passed, the mandatory dog restraint law for animals inside a vehicle will be the first in the nation, according to Mark Robinson, president of Handicappedpets.com, which links to a site devoted to pet seat belts and supports mandatory dog restraint laws.

[bubbysgarage]

For Massachusetts canines, flatbed freedom and tongues flapping in the breeze on the open road may soon go to the dogs.

Martin Walsh, a state lawmaker from Dorchester, Mass., may file legislation that will require dog owners to restrain their pets when driving in a vehicle.

"There's no reason for a dog to be running around a car," the Democratic representative told ABC News. "What happens if the dog decides to chase something, a fly that came in the car or something? The dog will go after it and the car will swerve."

The dog seat belt law would likely be part of a broader bill that might also try to outlaw pit bulls as pets in the state of Massachusetts, Walsh said.

If it is passed, the mandatory dog restraint law for animals inside a vehicle will be the first in the nation, according to Mark Robinson, president of Handicappedpets.com, which links to a site devoted to pet seat belts and supports mandatory dog restraint laws.


This is something I can agree with. I don't know how many times I've seen a dog riding in the front seat. And I'm not talking about the passenger seat either. I'm talking about people who have their dogs on their laps while driving. I can pay more attention while I'm driving and smoking that I think i would be able to if I had a dog on my lap. This is an issue that I would like to see brought up in a new thread but I also say this is something our government needs to look at if they are so conserned with my welfare.

[Brian K Beckett]

California city outlaws smoking in appartments....

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/071010/9/203a.html

[gleroyjr]

All I Want Is For The **** Government To Stay Out Of My Business.

[KyYodler]

All I Want Is For The **** Government To Stay Out Of My Business.

Me too gleroyjr....how did we ever get by without the gov. telling us just what we are suppose to do?

[DecupldSolutions]

All I Want Is For The **** Government To Stay Out Of My Business.

+1

we get closer and closer to police state every day...


Can I still eat french fries in my kitchen if I don't tell you please sir?

Jokes aside, is it even conclusively proven that second hand smoke is any worse than atmospheric pollution? I don't think it has been, but will need to verify.

Anyways, I wouldn't smoke around my kids. But I don't feel the government needs to be telling people not to, or giving them a ticket for doing so. Do they really care about the kids? Or are they trying to increase revenue?