Ontario Bans Smoking in Cars With Minors.
@granite_butterfly (448)
Canada
February 16, 2009 3:02pm CST
While I am a smoker myself, I have never felt that I am entitled to inflict my smoke upon others, especially children. The province I live in recently passed a law that prohibits anyone from smoking in a vehicle that has passengers under the age of 16. Those caught smoking in a car with a minor can be fined $125.00.
With solid evidence indicating the harm of second hand smoke on young people, I really don't see a problem with enforcing this law. We may have the legal right to smoke as adults but this does not include the right to make others ill by it. And if any of us did stop for a moment to think outside our tobacco addictions, many of us would not want to see children and other vulnerable citizens suffer health consequences for our actions. It doesn't seem unreasonable to butt out while there is a minor in the car, not to me. In fact, I see this a victory in the understanding of the rights our minors have that have not been considered until recently. Our children have a right to breathe clean air even if we don't choose to do so ourselves.
What do you think?
3 people like this
11 responses
@daneg33 (1128)
• Canada
16 Feb 09
OKAY WTF - I just typed a response and it disappeared!!!
I agree 100%. They are trying to bring that law into Victoria, BC and I think it is a good idea. Children do not have a choice in the matter and I don't think it's fair when you see two adults in the front seat of the car, both smoking, with kids in the back. I don't smoke in my car or in my house. I don't think it's fair to expose kids to second hand smoke, they just don't have any place to go.
@loveyevi (513)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I don't really understand why a law such as this is needed. Anyone with half a brain will not smoke around children, granted some do anyways, but I think this is over regulation. Smokers have been getting a lot of grief over the last few years, and at some point its gotta be enough. We can't smoke in public places, some can't even smoke in their own homes anymore.
I think a law like this is over regulation by government and needs to be stopped before it becomes complete government domination. Just my thoughts. Cheers.
@Galena (9110)
•
17 Feb 09
unfortunately, the fact is that a lot of people don't have half a brain.
if everyone who smoked was considerate about it there would be no need for any laws to restrict where and when people could smoke.
I know from my own childhood that it's not unusual for a parent to smoke with a small child in the car, even with the windows closed.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
17 Feb 09
California passed such a law back last year, I believe. Although I like the idea there is a drawback. People will only be fined for it, if they have been pulled over for something else. So if a cop sees someone smoking in their car and there are minors in there with them the cop isn't going to pull them over for smoking. How dumb is that?
@Galena (9110)
•
17 Feb 09
my dad used to smoke in the car with the windows closed.
if I coughed he said I was "being silly" or if I tried to open a window, that was "Selfish"
so I have to say, this law is a good thing.
it's a shame that it's necessary, but it's necessary because some people are selfish enough to inflict that on a child
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
17 Feb 09
Personally I am a smoker and I think that this is perfectly reasonable. I don't smoke around my children and if I am around a non smoker I make it a habit not to smoke around them either. I have the right to decide if I want to smoke, but that doesn't give me the right to decide if others should smell, breath and in essence taste, my smoke. I know that where I live this has been a law for a little while aready, and I think it is great. I can't tell you how mad I get when I see parents smoking in the car while their children are with them. It isn't fair to force our choices on others especially if they don't really have a chance, I am glad that I am not the only smoker that thinks like this, thanks for the article.
@killhawaii (112)
• United States
16 Feb 09
It is about time they did this. This law should have been passed the second the public found out that second hand smoke was dangerous. This law will prevent any future damage to minors like cancer. Second hand smoke is equally dangerous if not worse than first hand smoking.
@Bohemian77 (277)
• United States
16 Feb 09
There is absolutely no solid evidence that second hand smoke causes harm. The WHO (World Health Org), one of the largest and most militant anti-smoking groups in the world, did a huge study, and could find no evidence that second hand smoke causes cancer. On the contrary, using their own data, there is a possibility that second hand smoke may even have a protective effect against lung cancer in children
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
16 Feb 09
They just past a similar bill here in the United States in certain states. I agree, anyone with half a brain shouldn't be smoking in front of their kids, yet I'm glad we finally have something on paper.
@daneg33 (1128)
• Canada
16 Feb 09
They are trying to pass that very same law here in Victoria, BC. I agree with it 100%, I don't think it's fair that children should be stuffed into smoke filled cars, they don't have a choice. I am a smoker, and I have 2 children. I do not now, nor have I ever smoked in my car. I don't smoke in my house either. I live with 3 non smokers and just because I have a bad habit does not mean it should be inflicted on the rest of my family. I see people driving around, two adults in the front seat both smoking and 3 kids in the back. Unfair and disgusting.
@daneg33 (1128)
• Canada
16 Feb 09
They are trying to pass that very same law here in Victoria, BC. I agree with it 100%, I don't think it's fair that children should be stuffed into smoke filled cars, they don't have a choice. I am a smoker, and I have 2 children. I do not now, nor have I ever smoked in my car. I don't smoke in my house either. I live with 3 non smokers and just because I have a bad habit does not mean it should be inflicted on the rest of my family. I see people driving around, two adults in the front seat both smoking and 3 kids in the back. Unfair and disgusting.
