Ban smoking in all vehicles

[Gordonbcb]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8583551.stm

[Robert747]

Well I hope this is about smoking in a vehicle with a child as a passenger (which I guess only a numbskull would do anyway). I might look for a car with a chimney - theres a thought a specially adapted car for cigar smokers!

[rollzst]

This is absolute draconian bullshit. nobody will actually take any notice of this anyways it would be impossible to police.

[Cigar-aficionado]

Thin end of the wedge here guys

[nicwing]

Being a positive sort of cove I want to try to see the up side of this.

Many savy and commercially minded businesses are starting to see that Cigar smokers can bring them customers and therefore money. The number of sampling lounges and hotels with Cigar terraces appears to be growing fairly rapidly, certainly in London with a new Sampling lounge and a new Cigar Terrace due in the next few weeks.

I was at 10 Manc last week and there was no room to sit down!

So hopefully we wont need to smoke in parks or in our cars but in civilised spots where we will find like minded friendly cigar smokers who will enjoy the fabulous clouds of whiffy pong.

Courage mon brave!!

[Drewmidorn]

I'm all for banning smoking around children as the number of times i've seen a mum sitting in a car with a fag on the go and young kids in the back is a worry... these people are so stupid that they need this sort of "guidance". They're probably smoking at home too. Its not only the actual passive smoking but the smoking behaviour that the kids learn.

HOWEVER I don't need to be told that on the way back from a gig alone in my little van I can't do whatever I want as long as I am not affecting others and driving safely. I never smoke when there is anyone else in the van with me (man. woman, boy or girl) its just basic good manners!

[Simon-JG-hr]

I'm all for banning smoking around children as the number of times i've seen a mum sitting in a car with a fag on the go and young kids in the back is a worry... these people are so stupid that they need this sort of "guidance". They're probably smoking at home too. Its not only the actual passive smoking but the smoking behaviour that the kids learn.

HOWEVER I don't need to be told that on the way back from a gig alone in my little van I can't do whatever I want as long as I am not affecting others and driving safely. I never smoke when there is anyone else in the van with me (man. woman, boy or girl) its just basic good manners!

Excellent post! More or less sums up my sentiments. (Apart from not being able to drive, not having a van and not gigging - but if I did, it would be spot on ).

Very optimistic way of looking at things Nic, but you are right, there does seem to be an effort (in London at least) to create some very good cigar friendly environs.

[Lionhound]

Dear Doctor

Re smoking: I can understand why people may be annoyed or disturbed by my smoke, indeed my teenage daughter is an example of this. As such, I am very conscious of where and when I smoke. I tend to ask those who will be affected if they mind and, if outside try my best to ensure that my smoke does not blow directly at anyone. I too am annoyed by hoards of cigarette smokers congregating et entrances to buildings and creating a "wall" of smoke for everyone to walk through. Maybe I'm the only considerate one but I'm sure not.

Re smoking in a vehicle: Again, I agree that to smoke in a vehicle containing a child is stupid and irresponsible. Even with someone else in the car, if they object could be seen as at the very least selfish. As a cigar smoker, I tend to smoke more when not driving so I can relax, but appreciate you are referring to all smokers. To conclude this would be nigh impossible to police anyway but if you insist, then I would agree to an offence if there is a non consenting person or child in the vehicle.

Re smoking in places where young people congregate.
Good one here. Agree, swimming pool, swing park area of park etc not suitable. Open areas, why not. Are you also going to ban cars, factories etc from these areas?

General: Disallowing smoking in vehicle with child present is ok, however, assuming said childs family are smokers this brief respite will have little or no effect. If your argument then is to ban it in the home, I wholeheartedly and absolutely object. I do not smoke in my house but believe that whatever I do at home is up to me and I have a fundamental right to do so. I am aware of the risks in smoking but choose to accept them. I appreciate that a child in the home may not have a choice re passive smoking, but surely this is an education of the adult requirement. Your so called cost saving exercise for the health service would mean huge costs to the legal system etc. Picture if you will wee Jessie who arrives at school smelling of smoke. School contact social services who in turn contact police, who in turn visit childs home. Both parents are smokers, both say they only smoke outside. Police then need to investigate who is lying. Turns out neither but wee jessies boyfriend had a fly fag in the house when he picked her up this morning.
Bloody ludicrous when you look at it eh!!
Anyway, look forward to seeing loads of doctors and healthcare workers in the dole queues or after places in the legal professions if it all works out for you.

[Howling]

Agree with some posts above, you just don't smoke in a car when there are others with you, bad manners and surely no sane person would smoke with their kids in the back?

But, this could be the thin end of the wedge if abused by the nanny state... What next, not allowed to smoke in your back yard/garden if your neighbours object, been banned from smoking if you have children, or your next door neighbour has children.... Just paranoid ramblings from me hopefully!

[crslaytor]

You guys are serious and inteligent, but just for a moment try to think how many not so wise people there are out there? How many parents smoke, drink even take drugs while there is a babys arround?

Smoking is just like driving a car, you might be experienced and wise, but what about the person next to you?

[eggopp]

Ive got a sunroof why palute the air in the car when you can polute everyones air with it open wide...

[snooky]

So if they ban it in cars, when will they ban it in homes where children are resident [big brother ] and as a driving distraction when will they remove vanity mirrors . Common sense and courtesy must prevail, though I know are in short supply .

[crslaytor]

We need more education, no bans!!

[Lionhound]

You guys are serious and inteligent, but just for a moment try to think how many not so wise people there are out there? How many parents smoke, drink even take drugs while there is a babys arround?

Smoking is just like driving a car, you might be experienced and wise, but what about the person next to you?

Agree entirely but we can't just ban everything because some people are irresponsible.
Should we ban alcohol because some abuse it, tv because some are influenced by what they see.
Not meaning to be disparaging but you see the problem and how it can escalate. I believe that education is of benefit but is only any use to those who listen and who want to be educated. People do not have the same respect for others now which doesn't help. Bans etc have been tried before and failed, look at prohibition. All these things do is drive things underground and criminalise otherwise respectable and responsible people. The irresponsible ones will always be like that if they are not willing to learn. To be extreme, even if you ban knives, guns etc there will still be netters who kill. You can't punish the responsible people for the failings of others.

[crslaytor]

Lionhound, agree!!!
We are all talking and talking, we need a solution to solve the problem!
It is just getting deeper and deepers