boombala

Bill Would Fine Smokers With Kids In Car
POSTED: 4:40 pm EST February 28, 2008
UPDATED: 7:58 am EST February 29, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A state Senate committee is considering making it illegal to smoke inside a car if young children are riding, as well.

The bill would expand the Clean Indoor Air Act to cars. It would make smoking in cars with children ages 6 years or younger as a passenger illegal

"It is certainly an extension of the Clean Indoor Air Act in terms of protecting people from the dangers of second hand smoke. In this case though, it's children who are shown to be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of smoke," said Sen. Michael Lenett, D-Montgomery County.


Although the bill is a public health measure, it's being considered under the state transportation article for several reasons -- it may be easier to get it out of committee and it is designed to make it easy for police to enforce.


"This would be a primary offense, but it would be facilitated because all a police officer would have to do is look for someone smoking in a car and a child in a car seat. Maryland law already requires children 6 and under to be in a car seat," Lenett said.


The first offense would be a warning and a second offense would carry a $100 fine. After that, a $250 fine would be imposed for each subsequent violation.


The bill has several cosponsors and is supported by a number of medical associations; however, it is still not an easy sell in the Senate Finance Committee.


"I think that the nanny state is alive and well in Maryland. And that's unfortunate. I think that this bill is an example. People are hearing about this on the street. I was getting a haircut the other day and the person cutting my hair said, 'Can a bill like this actually happen? I thought I owned my car. I thought that was my personal space -- my personal decisions.' So, I think we are getting carried away here in Annapolis," said Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Eastern Shore.


A similar bill has been introduced in the House. Violators face $50 fines under that proposal. A hearing scheduled this week was canceled.

State law already prohibits bus and commercial drivers from smoking with children in the vehicle.

Bill Would Fine Smokers With Kids In Car - Baltimore News Story - WBAL Baltimore

BreakfastSurreal

I was talking to my Mother in law about this the other day...personally I think it's a WONDERFUL idea...she on the other hand thinks it's fucking stupid...probably because she is a walking ashtray. My poor 3 year old neice's clothes smell like disgusting smoke and sour milk, thanks to her wonderful grandmother, who I have seen blow the shit in her face.

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Peter Parka

Good, children don't exactly have a choice whether they ride in the car with a smoker or not.

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debbie t

smoking in vehicles is already illegal here ,its a £60 fine and three points on your licence

Peter Parka

Only in public vehicles like taxis, buses and trains. You can smoke in your own car.

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debbie t

im pretty sure own cars now pete cuz some of our friends are moaning about it.
to be perfectly honest i have enough trouble just driving

Peter Parka

I don't think so. It would be impossible to prosecute someone for it if it was because it's legal to smoke in your own home and seeing both places are private enclosed property you'd never be able to make it stick.

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debbie t

maybe its when driving ,,like the mobile phone law???

like you i get abit miffed about this ,we dont smoke near nonsmokers ,but alone its our bloody choice

Peter Parka

Yeah, that's probably it which is understandable really, you still will get some cops who take it too far though I imagine, it's a bit like the woman who got done for taken a swig out of a bottle of water while waiting at traffic lights.

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debbie t

i cant smoke and drive ,its dangerous but water swigging for goodnes sakes??mobiles yes very dangerous
i dont agree with smoking near kids or non smokers ,but if people smoke than thats their business isnt it?

BreakfastSurreal

i dont care if people smoke in their cars, the thing that pisses me off is that when they smoke around small children they dont have a choice...

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debbie t

absolutely ..its no good smokers complaining about a nanny state when they dont take responsibilty for their own actions around others ,especially kids who have no choice and under developed lungs

boombala

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My thots as well. Yet another unenforcable law. Do we want our cops spending their time driving around looking to see who is smoking with kids in their vehicles or maybe you'll be caught on those intersection cameras and have to go to court? All the drivers would have to do is open their windows.

And yes, your home could very well be considered a closed space.

If they really don't want kids, or anyone for that matter, to breath in second hand smoke, then ban the shit country wide. Don't supply it! Of course, the tobacco lobby would have a lot to say about that.

Peter Parka

If people arn't hurting anyone except themself they should be left to go about their business. The reason you end up with loads of stupid laws is because people refuse to use common sense and have to have every fucking aspect of their life dictated to them and ruin things for people who don't need these laws. If you've got kids it's common sense not to smoke around them in enclosed places. If you're so fucking selfish or stupid that you won't stop this, then you're too irresponsible to be around kids!

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Doveshit

I think that it's well intentioned. With all we know about the effect of second-hand smoke, particularly its effect on children, people shouldn't even need to be told not to do it.