Ore. state senator calls smoking with kids bill 'nonsense'
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- The state senate has proposed a measure that would make it a traffic violation to smoke in a car with a minor.
One Oregon lawmaker from Roseburg thinks the bill is nonsense.
Senator Jeff Kruse of Douglas County says he was the only one to oppose the measure in the judiciary committee.
He says he already tried getting an amendment to the bill, and his ideas were all rejected, he told KPIC News. "There's a lot of people in Salem who know better than we do and think they can do a better job at running our lives than we do," he quipped.
Senate Bill 444 is currently being reviewed in the house health care committee.
If the bill passes, people smoking in cars with people under 18-years-old can expect a fine if they are found to be in violation at a traffic stop.
It's proposed to be $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second and $1,000 for the third.
It's not about controlling people or imposing worthless laws, the government should make it a law because there are a lot of morons out there that do smoke with babies in the car even with the windows rolled up!! The minute it does become a law i will report any inconsiderate piece of trash that does smoke with a kid in the car :) Some of these comments are unbelievable! A baby isn't going to tap you on the shoulder and ask nicely for you to put out the cigarette he/she is having to choke down with you, congrats if that worked when you were a kid. Here's a thought: WAIT UNTIL YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR TO SMOKE
My child has severe asthma and i wont let her in a car that someone smoked in even if it was 2weeks ago. My child should die from people wanting to smoke in parks, vehicles and ect. My child was rushed to hospital with 92% oxygen from having to walk through smoke getting into Walmart since some idiots didnt want to step away from the door while smoking.
Jennifer i am so glad i am not your child ,,, you must be a smoker and don't care about your children or don't have any people should love their children enough to worry about their health and just not do it
I can't believe there are actually people on here who disagree with protecting children. Seriously?? If parents are too ignorant and selfish to understand how much they are harming their children by smoking in their car, then I guess its up to the law to help them understand. Its sad it has to come to that, but somebody has to protect these kids!
Yes I agree. Who is the government telling me what I can and can't do in my property. If they want to buy my car pay the gas and insurance they can tell me what to do but until then keep your nose out of my business and those stupid people who agree .. get a friggen life and keep your nose out of others business!
Here is the thing: If you DON'T smoke..this law does not pertain to you...if you DO smoke, but not in the car with your kids...this law does not pertain to you...if you DO smoke WITH your kids in the car...THEN this is FOR YOU! Just because we think there are too many laws in the book does not mean that enough people have the "COMMON SENSE" to NOT put something on the books.....if it does not pertain to you...then shrug your shoulders and move on! Like the Seat Belt Law, or Cell Phone Law.....I personally think you are an idiot for not wearing your seatbelt, and that if that is your choice so be it! BUT, since I DO wear my seatbelt...I just shrug it off because the law technically does not affect me, because I am already doing the right thing! The problem is everyone things these laws "invade their privacy" or "trample on their rights" But seriously....most of these Laws are just "COMMON SENSE" that sadly many people just don't have!!!
My comment was referring to the comment made by Laura Barling, not your Kathy.
Not, that I am saying that your child should have to ask, I was just making a point ^^^^^^ And to make parents stop and think about things!
I honestly cant believe one of the above comments... *If your children ask you to not smoke in the car with them then you wont* Thats INSANE! I too have a three year old and I couldnt imagine her having to ASK me to not smoke in the car with her!!! What would a three year old say? Mom secondhand smoke can really hurt me, please dont do it. Give me a break. Some people shouldnt be parents.
I am a smoker (Trying my best to quit), I have no problem with the bill. But as far as the government on these issues, there needs to be some boundaries! !??
They had to make a law to not smoke in the park. So the parents just sat in their car, with their children. Perhaps this has to be a law.
Laws are enacted because people lack simple common sense. I feel its very sad we have people even considering a law like this. People should car enough for their children and not smoke in a vehicle with them.
No I don't agree...I think it is horrible that parents smoke in the car with their kids......It's like abortion, they don't have a voice to cry out! :-(
I am an ex-smoker and I understand the ramifications of smoking however a person would think those in power would spend more time catching and keeping criminals in jail than worrying about making criminals out of the common folk. I think they should expend their energies in making this state better by encouraging new business into the state, about putting people back to work, about the drug problems in this county and state. Yes smoking may not be good for your health but there are many more pressing problems that need to be solved before picking on those who more than likely just don't have the funds for another BS law. The largest majority of those who smoke are those is the lower income bracket, who by no fault of there own don't have the funds to support a new tax or a new law designed to "benefit them". Get off the backs of the less fortunate and go after the truly bad people. There is absolutely no reason to make a law that will punish those who have less while you are getting rid of our police and other needed services and turning loose people who have broken existing laws and will do it again because there is no system of punishment in this state. To those in charge I have one simple idea for you...get a brain and use it for the good of all not your personal vendetta.
i agree i think people that smoke in the cars with children in them should be ticketed that is so stupid if you want to kill yourselves let your children have their lives to live poor babies don't have a chance
I am pro-freedom with the best of them but kids need to be protected. Smoking is disgusting and kids shouldn't have to put up with it. I remember absolutely hating to have to ride in the car with my parents smoking as a kid, trying not to breathe.
Maybe Jeff thinks there are other ways to instill safety instead of making a law against every move a person makes. Are these people still smoking in front of their children? I used to smoke, but I never smoked around my chindren. Education can go a long ways. I know many think this is a great idea. What if the next step is citing any parent for verbal abuse who raises their voice to their child. It has already happened in more liberal States.
@J DÂ Yelling at kids is illegal in liberal states? Â Name one and cite your source.
It's. good law. My parents both smoked, and one now has a lung disease from it.. I HATED it when my sister and I had to breathe that crap, I agree 100% with the law.....unfortunately, even tho I am a non-smoker, damage from the first 17 years of my life, is done even tho no health issues known YET from it. Anyone who agrees with this terrible practice, shame on you!
Kids don't have a choice on riding in a school bus either. No padding anywhere...no seat belts. It's an unsafe environment when it's not moving but the state thinks they are just fine since there is no revenue involved except what it would cost to fix the problem.
If parents are too stupid to not smoke in the car with children in it then Yes We should protect those innocent children's lives. We passed a law banning people from talking on the phone and driving because it endangers lives, well so does smoking in the car with children who most can't even speak up and defend themselves!!!!
No!
A puzzling position for a smoker recently diagnosed with cancer. How could you not want to protect children from cancer? Apparently everyone got it but Jeff.
Sorry, but i view this as a similar issue to abortion! Bringing something upon a person to helpless to defend/speak up for themselves with something that very well may kill them early someday!
Yes make it law. Anything to help keep that nasty smoke away from kids! If u don't smoke in the car with your kids then why do you care if its law or not?
well Mr. Kruse the sad part is the adults dont have any respect for children health.....they are to wraped up on their on self stupidity !!!!!!!!!
If adults cannot be considerate enough for the lives and health of their children then the government can and should be. Pass the law and fine any idiot whose willing to harm their child with that poison.
I am so happy of this law. Second hand smoke kills. You wouldnt put your kids in a gas chamber why would you turn your car into one?
I grew up in riding in the back seat of my moms little car choking down her ciggarettes I think it should be against the law. I was miserable and now have asthma and I'm a non smoker and have been for my entire 28 yrs of life. Also I still believe second hand smoke does damage and my mother did die of lung cancer at just 54. I would never want another child to deal with what I had to.
They did it in California, like 6 years ago. They can't stop you for it. But if they pull you over for a legitimate reason and you're smoking with a child under 18, then they'll ticket you.
I have children with asthma and get very pissed when ppl smoke around them!!! especially in a vehicle, they have no choice but to take in the smoke!!!! I think that if not for disrespectful people that only care about themselves then we would not need this law but I am all for it!!!! Intel you have a child that has to suffer the aftermath of someone smoking in a vehicle you have no right to say anything. I have spent many a times in the hospital with my asthmatic children and don't feel they deserve to suffer because of others bad habits!!!!!
I only disagree because who will enforce this law! They keep reducing policemen and increasing laws. Also if you see someone smoking as you drive by can you really see if there is an infant in the car! Did anyone really think this through. So if we pass this law who is going to keep parents from smoking in their homes then what is next. Maybe we should pass a law against over feeding the kids! Come on... what happened to the land of the free!
I agree it is common sense. So I guess we should just make not using common sense against the law. There are too many laws already. I think most people do at least one thing everyday that they probably could have used a little more common sense doing, The government is taking total control of our lives. I've been around almost 70 yrs now so I know what it was like to have freedom. We are losing that and fast right now.
Agree with the government going a bit overboard***
At least someone else sees it. Next time anyone sees me its when they'll be traveling through canada.
I agree with the government and that's a ridiculous bill to pass and really let's face it the only reason the news station posted this was to start a rant and rave about it everyone has their personal opinions about smoking being a non smoker I can't stand the thought of smoking in.a car with my kids and can't stand people who think it's OK to smoke around my kids but than again I am not a smoker.
As of yet I have failed to hear a age on what they consider a child I can only presume that it must be 17 years of age and younger as 18 yr old can buy their own smoke's ...I do agree that smoking around kid's is a bad idea but as other I am sick of all the law's that are being forced on the people ...And wait a minute after talking to a few different Police Officers they just laughed to they have more important thing to be watching for than someone smoking around kids in a car ......
That's exactly what it's coming to Klyn.
lets just ban everything in general. we don't need freedom, why have freedom when we can be completly comtrolled. sounds good to me
I think its really pathetic that your children have to ask you not to smoke in the car as a parent you should know how terrible it is for their health as well as your own.
And no, I don't smoke and I have suffered from asthma.
It should NOT be a law. If that's the case, then we need to require mandatory parenting classes to all new parents. Second hand smoke is NOT the only way parents abuse their children's rights. So again No it shouldn't be up to the government to decide.
My kids are over the age 3,their not babies,it should be the parents desicion not the governments..its their car not the governments. My kids mean the world to me.if they tell me not to smoke in the car than i dont..smoking in the car with the windows rolled down is just like smoking with them holding ur hand standing outside..as long as there is a breeze blowing its should be fine...
As a smoker myself, I believe you have the right to smoke it's our choice, BUT we should be caring adults, and not pass our poison to our kids! Why should our kids suffer, for our bad choices? Be a responsible patent and smoker ALWAYS smoke outside, never in a house, or car. Smoke before going, and if your on a trip well rest areas work well.. We shouldn't have to have this law, but obviously parents don't look out for the well being of their children someone has to speak for them. Sad it does need to be a law!
will there soon be a law on what foods we can feed children? I detest smoking and it should never be done around children. It is a shame to have to pass a law on common sense.
*20
If smoking cigarettes is such an issue then why not just ban smoking in general? Stop the little crappy laws of no smoking in your car and the law where you can't smoke within 29 feet of a business. Just ban it all together! My opinion :)
As a kid that would beg for my parents to stop and was and am still thoroughly disgusted with it I'm glad there is finally a "good" reason not to do it... You know since harming us physically wasn't a good enough reason.
I agree, but you can't control people like that. Parents should respect their kids, but people raise kids and do things differently. You cannot control people like this. Hasn't anybody heard of America, home of the free? let people live their lives.
Kayla Young you have the right idea! In a perfect world all people would be like you and me and care enough about their kids to not smoke around them but sadly that isnt the world we live in! :-(