Bangor Maine: Butts Out in Cars

The city of Bangor Maine joined Arkansas and Louisiana with a ban on smoking in cars transporting children. The ban takes affect next week and could cost first offenders $50.00. The city council added and amendment to the original ban making it a primary offense, meaning a police officer can stop a vehicle with any child he or she deems under the age of 18. The California State Senate also passed a no smoking in cars ban and it is expected to be signed by the Governor late this month.

Many states already have banned smoking in public spaces including workplaces, bars and restaurants etc. Opponents of these laws argue they are an infringement on personal privacy. They say they amount to nothing more than morality based smoker bashing. However, this bill opens the door to something many think is government intrusion. Health professionals and the anti-smoking lobby are thrilled. Some say however, that these laws don't go far enough. I agree.

America this is a health issue. We cannot stop at cars. If we don't combat second-hand cigarette smoke outside (and inside) the private sphere we will certainly have to confront it in our lungs. We need a War on Smoking. We need a preemptive strike against adults who would wantonly threaten the health of children. Why not ban smoking in the home or at least some homes.

I have friends in New York City with studio apartments no bigger than the average mobile home. Should the children of these small apartment city dwellers have to endure the peril of second-hand smoke? What good is it to protect them on the ride from Aunt Mitsy's on Long Island only to return to a cramped apartment where they are forced to endure mom and dad's Newports? Do we even know if these kids prefer menthol?

Okay so we can't send the police force out to search homes, but we can utilize those public officials we already have. How about the politicians going door to door on the never ending campaign trail? We have health and human service workers checking on foster kids and occasionally following up on reports of abuse (NYC's recent child protective service horrors notwithstanding). Let's enlist them in the fight.

Better yet why not just set up a new cabinet level governmental department. The Department of In-Home Smoke Cessation has a nice ring to it.

I say the government; the federal government lay down the law. Forget about the minimum wage. There are people smoking out there and we have to stop them before it is too late. The children of America most cramped homes need us.