[JD59]

Want a cigarette while you're driving with your kids in the car? Not in Vermont, which is getting ready to implement some of the nation's strictest anti-smoking laws, including a provision that would allow police to pull over anyone seen smoking with young children in the car and fine them $100.

VT anti-smoking law among nation's strictest

[Oriz]

Originally Posted by John1960

Want a cigarette while you're driving with your kids in the car? Not in Vermont, which is getting ready to implement some of the nation's strictest anti-smoking laws, including a provision that would allow police to pull over anyone seen smoking with young children in the car and fine them $100.

VT anti-smoking law among nation's strictest

Good.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by John1960

Want a cigarette while you're driving with your kids in the car? Not in Vermont, which is getting ready to implement some of the nation's strictest anti-smoking laws, including a provision that would allow police to pull over anyone seen smoking with young children in the car and fine them $100.

VT anti-smoking law among nation's strictest

It does seem harsh but children have no choice other than to ride along with mom or dad. As someone who grew up with a smoking parent and developed asthma, I have to side with the children whose lungs are being damaged by a nicotine addicted parent. Dad now has COPD. Both his COPD and my asthma could have been avoided. He had a choice to smoke, I didn't have a choice where breathing 2nd hand smoke was concerned.

It is lousy that common sense has to be legislated, but in the long run, preventing any 2nd hand smoke related illness now will save the taxpayers a lot more money long term.

[FrugalYankee]

They can't get a handle on serious crime so the Vermont legislature is turning ordinary citizens with poor judgment into criminals they can target more easily.

On the lighter side, the same legislature voted to decriminalize marijuana, so maybe a joint would be acceptable.

[DauntlessDan]

Considering Vermont's political leanings of late, this is not news. I wonder if this includes marijuana as well.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by FrugalYankee

They can't get a handle on serious crime so the Vermont legislature is turning ordinary citizens with poor judgment into criminals they can target more easily.

On the lighter side, the same legislature voted to decriminalize marijuana, so maybe a joint would be acceptable.

From time to time I read news reports of people pulled over on I-91 for traffic infractions, and some of these drivers were transporting heroin while their children were present in the vehicle.

Is it possible that one reason for this law would give LEO's the opportunity to pull over a vehicle for the smoking violation, and allow them to further observe what's in the vehicle? Or would that be an unintended (but beneficial) side effect?

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

From time to time I read news reports of people pulled over on I-91 for traffic infractions, and some of these drivers were transporting heroin while their children were present in the vehicle.

Is it possible that one reason for this law would give LEO's the opportunity to pull over a vehicle for the smoking violation, and allow them to further observe what's in the vehicle? Or would that be an unintended (but beneficial) side effect?

I am staggered by the willingness being shown now to consider giving up freedoms and privacy. Even NY stopped the "stop and frisk" policy. It is clear to me that many people have not read and understood "1984" "Animal Farm" "Lord of the Flies" or researched into the history of repressive and oppressive police states.

This type of thinking is antithetical to the Vermont I grew up in. When there are no freedoms left to defend, warriors only defend oppression.

[Oriz]

Originally Posted by FrugalYankee

They can't get a handle on serious crime so the Vermont legislature is turning ordinary citizens with poor judgment into criminals they can target more easily.

On the lighter side, the same legislature voted to decriminalize marijuana, so maybe a joint would be acceptable.

I'm on board with both.



Apparently, they are still not strict enough to stop my wife from smoking a pack a day

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

I am staggered by the willingness being shown now to consider giving up freedoms and privacy. Even NY stopped the "stop and frisk" policy. It is clear to me that many people have not read and understood "1984" "Animal Farm" "Lord of the Flies" or researched into the history of repressive and oppressive police states.

This type of thinking is antithetical to the Vermont I grew up in. When there are no freedoms left to defend, warriors only defend oppression.

NYC abandoned stop and frisk and now the chickens are coming home to roost.

Going back to the topic: do you have issues with a legal age to purchase tobacco products? Is it repressive to protect the health if minors by banning sales to them? If mom's going to smoke in a closed up car with her child, why not hand her chikd a cigarette to partake along with her instead of enveloping them with second hand smoke?

Who is this law hurting/benefitting?

[FrugalYankee]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

NYC abandoned stop and frisk and now the chickens are coming home to roost.

Going back to the topic: do you have issues with a legal age to purchase tobacco products? Is it repressive to protect the health if minors by banning sales to them? If mom's going to smoke in a closed up car with her child, why not hand her chikd a cigarette to partake along with her instead of enveloping them with second hand smoke?

Who is this law hurting/benefitting?

We don't have unlimited law enforcement resources. Which would you rather see? A cop spending time cruising downtown areas where drug dealers hang out, or spending 20 minutes writing up / explaining this new law to someone? Pick one.