Bangor, Maine Bans Smoking In Cars

I'm not sure if this story is running nationally, but it's news here in Maine. The town of Bangor has passed a town ordinance banning smoking in cars while children are present.

I mean, why don't they just go ahead and ban smoking in lungs and cut to the chase?

I don't smoke. Never really did. I'd prefer to come home from a night out not stinking of cigarette smell. I hope my kids don't smoke, or more realistically never get past experimenting. I'd prefer that anyone giving my children a ride would refrain from lighting up in front of them.

That being said, we may have stepped over a line. I can hear is Reverend Lovejoy's wife screaming, "but what about the children?" in the background.

We're banning people from smoking in their cars with children present. Is banning them from smoking in their own homes with children present next?

Trust me, I think it'd be great if the next generation was smoke-free and if everyone gave up their cigarettes...by their own free choice. I also wish that everyone would be friendly to strangers but I don't want a law passed over it.

From the Portland Press Herald:

People who smoke with children present in the confined space of a car or truck might as well be deliberately trying to kill their children, (emphasis mine) said City Councilor Patricia Blanchette, who is a smoker.

That seems a little harsh. "Salem" harsh. (The Massachusetts burg, and not the menthol.) Or maybe--work with me here, people--Councilor Patricia Blanchette just wanted to get out of carpooling because she's not about to give up smoking.

As it turns out, although Bangor is the first municipality with this law, Arkansas and Louisiana have already passed state law. I'm sure it's only a matter of time until it's completely illegal throughout the U.S. to smoke within 100 yards of anyone under the age of 18, and this post will seem dated like a spittoon. But as far as I'm concerned, people should be allowed to make bad decisions.

You want to run a public service campaign teaching people that smoking cigarettes in a confined space with a minor is a bad idea, I got your back. You want to pass a law that outlaws legal behavior in the sanctity of an American's second castle (their car), I got a problem.

Rich Brooks
Non-Smoking, Pro-Child Driver

Comments

[Cybele Brooks]

Well as your wife, it's my job to argue with you...that being said you make some good points. However, we live in a paternalistic society: seatbelts, helmets, drinking age, DWI laws. You wouldn't put a minor in the car and drive drunk. What's the difference? Many adults enjoy a good bit of Porn. But every Fox Mulder out there recoils with disgust at the thought of child pornography. What's the difference? Protecting a minor from the harmful side effects of adult vices is our responsibility one way or another.

[Rich Brooks]

Cybele,

First off, how did you even know I have a blog? You don't know about my mistress, do you?

There's a big difference between driving drunk and smoking cigarettes while driving with a child; the former is an illegal activity with or without a child.

As far as porn goes, thanks for sharing that you enjoy the occasional blue film with my reading audience. I don't think they'll ever think of me the same way. (Of course, now some people will be jealous, especially if they know how hot you are.)

Regarding your child porn example, there's a difference. Child porn exploits young children and probably leads to more cases of statuatory rape and implicitity states that children are sexual creatures, which of course they're not.

Child porn is targeted at child molesters, the lowest form of life on the planet. Even in jail these people are reviled. In short, it affects all children and has an effect on society as a whole.

While it's true that the children in a smoky car don't have a choice, it's also true that they don't have a choice in who their parents are, whether they get healthy meals, whether they get enough love, live in smoke-free homes, or get to go to a good school that will prepare them for the global economy.

In short, it's not government's role to micro-manage our lives. We should be allowed to make bad decisions.

A child who grows up with parents who smoke but love that child is better off than one who grows up in a smoke-free, loveless environment.

Thank God *our* children won't have to make that choice.

Now, what should we rent from the adult movie store tonight?

[Megan]

I have been outraged at the no smoking law that has been passed in cars. I don't think that smoking in the car with children is a very good idea but there shouldn't be a law. What is next saying that fat people need to be banned because they are hurting their health or giving fines to parents what have obease kids? smoking is bad for your health but so is junk food, drinking, riding motorcycles, driving cars, I mean where does it end? Smoking isn't good for your health but either is any of those othere things I mentioned. The great thing about this country was the freedom of choice that we USE to have. They are taking away our rights little by little. Domocracy? I don't remember ever voting this in. What the government doesn't think that we can make choices on our own? I guess no, then if we can make our own choices does that mean that we arn't responsible for our actions anymore? I am a smoker but I don't smoke in my house or in the car with children, but that doesn't mean their should be a law about it, what about the seat belt law? We should be able to make that choice ON OUR OWN to where a seat belt or not. The "laws" that are being passed are getting out of control, what is happining to our life, freedom, and persute of happiness? Next they will be telling us what we can wear, who we have to date, what jobs we can do, when we can drive. When is it going to be to much? Why not pass laws that actually matter? When will them telling us what to do and how to do it, be to much?