By Staff
In New Jersey legislators are talking about banning smoking in cars all together. They cite that smoking is distracting and drivers who are distracted cause more accidents.
Now some others in Georgia are joining in a battle of smoking rights, saying that smoking should be banned when a child is in the car. That concern could have stemmed from the very visual anti-smoking commercial which showed a child being buckled up, followed by the doors locking and the mother lighting up before she drives off.
Parents are unable to prevent their child from breathing second hand smoke at many other times, even at the home of a spouse from whom they are separated.
Many restaurants have turned to all non smoking, from previously having so called smoking sections, basically next to the nonsmoking section. These offer more choices to both the adults and the children who are eating with them.
Will those who wish to push the envelope further and tell parents they can't smoke with a child in the car succeed? It is doubtful. Where would it end? Will smoking be banned in private homes next?
The dangers of smoking are real, but so are personal rights.
With children still dying from not being restrained properly, or riding in the front seat, maybe the emphasis should be on prosecuting those who are already breaking laws.