A step too far, banning smoking in cars

Cookie_Monster · 27-07-2011 08:34AM #1

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, has said the Government is considering banning smoking in cars.

According to a report in today's Irish Times, Dr Reilly said he was “in favour of legislating in this area” but added the public would need persuading first.

He was responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health confirmed that officials were examining two possible scenarios.

One would be a ban on smoking if children under 16 were present. If this was considered unworkable, a blanket ban on smoking in private cars would be considered.

If implemented, this would make Ireland the first country to impose such a ban. Smoking in taxis, company cars and vans, which are classed as workplaces, is already prohibited.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/smoking-in-cars-may-soon-be-banned-says-health-minister-2831977.html

Do they honestly have nothing better to be doing in the dept of Health or HSE, at this rate you'll be banned from smoking in your own home soon. :rolleyes:

While I'm not a smoker and support the pub ban (confined public place) even I think this is a ridiculous step too far and also completely un-enforceable. Not like it's enforced for taxi drivers, truckers or bus, van & coach drivers at the moment anyway, everyday I see truck or buses with workers smoking in them.

but of course we have to think of the children!!

Emiko · 27-07-2011 08:37AM

There's a provision in the constitution for the right to privacy, and surely this legislation would contravene that.

Davidius · 27-07-2011 08:38AM

How can I feel morally superior to people I see smoking in their cars now? I don't want to go to smoking areas just to feel good about myself.

Frank Black · 27-07-2011 08:38AM

I'm in favour.
I'd also like to see a ban on women applying make-up in cars and an outright ban on old men wearing caps while driving.

JohnMarston · 27-07-2011 08:42AM

black francis wrote: »

I'm in favour.
I'd also like to see a ban on women applying make-up in cars and an outright ban on old men wearing caps while driving.

What if someone decides to have a smoke in their car while it is parked?
And old men wearing caps? Really?

FatherLen · 27-07-2011 08:42AM

i think they are banning it for the same reasons they banned the use of mobile phones....

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:46AM

I love a smoke when I'm driving.

If it's being banned for the same reason as they banned using a mobile without hands-free, then they also need to ban the practice of driving with your left hand resting on the gear stick, or changing the radio station, or turning on your window de-mister.

Clowns

etymon · 27-07-2011 08:46AM

I grew up in cars with two smoking parents and it's pretty manky, to be fair. (And I smoke in cars now!) But it is rotten for kids in the back seat. Pretty ignorant people who would do that anyway (yes Mam and Dad I am talking about you).

Irish Guitarist · 27-07-2011 08:46AM

Good. It might stop disgusting slobs from throwing cigarette butts out of the window of their vehicles.

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:48AM

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

Good. It might stop disgusting slobs from throwing cigarette butts out of the window of their vehicles.

True dat.

some motorcyclist posted on boards before that a smoke thrown from a car blinded him after it blew behind his visor and into his eye.

willow tree · 27-07-2011 08:49AM

It is gank being in a car with a smoker,but most people i know wouldnt smoke with others in the car with them so its their own business. i didnt agree with the blanket ban on smoking in pubs (i felt there should have been scope to have a smoking area (like in some countries they will have a small well ventilated room for smokers). seriously though they have other things they should be concerning themselves with.

Quazzie · 27-07-2011 08:50AM

Des wrote: »

True dat.

some motorcyclist posted on boards before that a smoke thrown from a car blinded him after it blew behind his visor and into his eye.

Can blind people use the net?

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:51AM

willow tree wrote: »

It is gank being in a car with a smoker

Do you get into cars with strangers?

If not, then you are making a conscious choice to get into a car with a smoker, if you think it's so "gank", then just stop doing it ffs.

Get your own car.

Davidius · 27-07-2011 08:52AM

If it can be shown that smoking has a negative effect on driving then it seems reasonable enough to ban it while driving. A blanket ban just because you think it might be too hard to enforce banning it in the company of children is too far, they should at least enact the softer form to see how it pans out.

I don't really see anything wrong with banning smoking in a car with children in it.

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:52AM

Quazzie wrote: »

Can blind people use the net?

In one eye, I think he said.

In anyway, yeah, blind people can use the net, there is this thing you an install that reads the screen to you when you move the mouse around and hit an icon "My Computer" "Internet Explorer" in that Stephen Hawking voice.

listermint · 27-07-2011 08:54AM

Des wrote: »

Do you get into cars with strangers?

If not, then you are making a conscious choice to get into a car with a smoker, if you think it's so "gank", then just stop doing it ffs.

Get your own car.

What have strangers got to do with it, If I get into my mates car He wouldnt smoke with me in it, cos yes it is gank. You smell, your making me smell and everything just smells. Of course my friend realises that, you have no social awareness however.

BTW I dont agree with banning it in cars....

etymon · 27-07-2011 08:56AM

Des wrote: »

Do you get into cars with strangers?

If not, then you are making a conscious choice to get into a car with a smoker, if you think it's so "gank", then just stop doing it ffs.

Get your own car.

yeah but they are talking about smoking in cars with under-16s in the car, not your mates

Quazzie · 27-07-2011 08:56AM

listermint wrote: »

What have strangers got to do with it, .

I think the point he was making, and you missed is that if you don't get into cars with strangers then you know what you are letting yourself in for getting into a car with a smoker.

bradlente · 27-07-2011 08:56AM

I'd say its someones own choice,I don't smoke but I think it would be a bit harsh to bring this in.I don't drive either but I'd presume it doesn't impair the ability to drive like mobile phones do.

That story about the fag going into the guys eye is bad form all the same.Some people are simply ignorant cnuts.

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:56AM

listermint wrote: »

What have strangers got to do with it, If I get into my mates car He wouldnt smoke with me in it, cos yes it is gank. You smell, your making me smell and everything just smells. Of course my friend realises that, you have no social awareness however.

My friends know I smoke, my friends know I smoke in my car, if getting in my car offends them so much they don't get in, simple.

W.Shakes-Beer · 27-07-2011 08:56AM

I don't smoke but I think thats a bit of a daft law. The person has bought the car with their money so should be entitled to do whatever they want in it really, including a good ole fap.

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:57AM

Quazzie wrote: »

I think the point he was making, and you missed is that if you don't get into cars with strangers then you know what you are letting yourself in for getting into a car with a smoker.

Correctamundo.

willow tree · 27-07-2011 08:58AM

Des wrote: »

Do you get into cars with strangers?

If not, then you are making a conscious choice to get into a car with a smoker, if you think it's so "gank", then just stop doing it ffs.

Get your own car.

eh what? i have my own car so i never have to do it now. when i was younger my friends dad used to smoke with us in the back, i hated it. dont agree with ban, its a bit nanny state...

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 08:59AM

willow tree wrote: »

eh what? i have my own car so i never have to do it now. when i was younger my friends dad used to smoke with us in the back, i hated it. dont agree with ban, its a bit nanny state...

So why did you keep getting into the car then?

Cú Giobach · 27-07-2011 09:02AM

The legislation regarding mobile phones is about driving while using one, not about just using one in a car, so this ban wouldn't be "on the same wavelength", (think passengers).
I have just two words to the government about me smoking in a car and bothering nobody, FUCK OFF!

willow tree · 27-07-2011 09:04AM

i was a child so i couldnt drive but i wanted to go to my friends house which was out in the country so i'd no other way of getting there. it was a small point, not deserving of all these posts, just a personal thing. i love a smoke myself with a drink but i just wouldnt do it with a non smoker thats all.

listermint · 27-07-2011 09:05AM

Des wrote: »

So why did you keep getting into the car then?

Because they were young and needed the lift, Was that a serious response ??? Some of your responses are absolutely strange.

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 09:05AM

I don't smoke around children either, just want to make that clear.

_blank_ · 27-07-2011 09:06AM

listermint wrote: »

Because they were young and needed the lift, Was that a serious response ??? Some of your responses are absolutely strange.

No they aren't.

You just didn't get the point I was making in my post that mentioned strangers, that's not my fault.

bradlente · 27-07-2011 09:09AM

tbh I'd be a bit disturbed by anyone that smokes with a young bab in the car,But I think that might not even justify bringing this in.If someones ok with smoking whilst their baby's in the car,Then the little things probably getting lungfuls of the stuff at home every day,So the health benefits would be minimal.

But the coffers would fill up a little bit more,Thats really what I think could be the objective here:creative ways to fine people to generate a bit of revenue :rolleyes:

XxMCRxBabyxX · 27-07-2011 09:09AM

Des wrote: »

So why did you keep getting into the car then?

It's not always that simple.

My mum smokes when I'm in the car. Always has since she started driving.
I can either get in the car or I can let myself be stranded at home with no way of getting where I need to go.

I don't like it at all but if that's my only choice I'll suffer the smoking if I have to

A step too far, banning smoking in cars

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