Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Oh shut up!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8583551.stm

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

*bangs head on desk*

what utter tosh

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

For passive smoking purposes I think that's daft. For safety I don't see anything wrong in banning the driver from smoking. Lighting up is as distracting as using a mobile plus you don't have a fully safe grip on the wheel while it's between your fingers.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

When they stop taxing tobacco and making huge amounts from it then they can start to come down on it till then sod off.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I agree with a ban on smoking in cars. Many years ago when I was a smoker, the end of my cig fell between my legs, well, needless to say, my attention went 100% on my crutch I ended up drifting onto the wrong side of the road, luckily there was no oncoming traffic and I managed to pull over and extinguish my pants... It could have been so much worse.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

You don't have a "full safe grip" on the wheel while you are changing gear or operating the sound system but I don't see any calls for either of them being banned.

And as Rizzy says, when they stop being so hypocritical about tobacco and just outlaw it then maybe I'll take this nonsense seriously.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

What about people who lean back and drive with one hand?......and possibly drive a automatic?

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Great, more potentially useless crap for the police to deal with.

100% disagree with this twaddle. I don't smoke in my car anyway as I don't want smoke damage for when I sell it off, but this is hardly a distraction as much as the chavs playing around with their sound systems while driving.

:rolleyes:

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

We appear to be moving away from the effect of second-hand smoke on children (and others) in cars (which is what I thought was the original point) to driving ability.

Just saying......

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

"regardless of the passengers" well what if all of the passengers are the legal age and all smokers?

I don't plan on having any children, why should I have my freedom taken away?

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

If it was about that, then they'd have to ban it in the home as well.
but they can't issue on the spot fines for that one because they can't see it happening.

if they were that concerned about the children they'd ban tobacco altogether. infact I insist they ban tobacco! :D

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

What happened to me whilst smoking in my car would not only have had an impact on my passenger (passively), but also on other drivers and pedestrians (physically).

I agree ban it altogether. (But that won't ever happen).

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

But apart from possibly burning your inner thigh on your own fault, is this any different from those playing around with their playlist on their ipod, or fussing over their kids in the back while driving?

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

For the sake of the children it has to be done properly. you need to protect them from the risk inside the home. not just outside of it. tobacco has to be banned.

All the reasons why it has to be banned are here. the list is endless.

If the government don't ban the sale of tobacco because of these reasons then they are being irresponsible.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/03March/...g-in-cars.aspx

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

*rolls eyes*

Well, I think I'll stop right there...one day we won't be allowed to drink alcohol or eat chocolate either.

Bye bye freedom, hello PC society for all, and freedom for none.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

They'll ban eating chocolate in the street because it tempts the little fat kid to go and buy a bar :)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I'm a non-smoker, only one in my family who has never touched tobacco, also I lost my father and eldest brother with smoking related cancer.. but I think that people should have the choice as long as that choice doesn't impact on others.. Most parents should realise that smoking in a confined area with thier kids there should be a no-no, but smoking in a car by themselves only impacts on them. A blanket ban purely on passive smoking is wrong, but as this thread went towards the effect on driving I think that anything in your hand which doesnt involve control of the car is wrong..

That's my 2p worth

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

The law allows you to take one hand off the wheel to change gear and many cars have the controls for the sound system mounted on the steering wheel.

The number of times I've seen drivers lighting up while driving staggers me. I might not be the safest in the world but that's one things you'll never catch me doing.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Smoking anywhere if you have kids should be a no-no, it does impact on them if you smoke alone in the car because all the crap in fags doesn't just disappear when they are put out. I used to smoke in the bathroom and my young son used to get all sorts of ear aches and ear infections, turned out it was due to all the rubbish from smoking sticking to towels etc I felt so guilty when I found out, in fact it was quite possibly a big sub concious factor in me giving up.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Another reason (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/ma...sser-car-death)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Looks like they just want to turn the entire population of the country into criminals for the smallest possible reason.... Why not just arrest us all. Take our fingerprints, DNA, and stick us all on a terrorist watch list. Ofc, they will need to divert police officers to the delivery suites of hospital maternity wards so they can book the newborns as they pop out (all that crying is obviously a noise pollution offense). Lets not forget the mothers giving birth ! Their naughty bits are on view, so they can be nicked for indecent exposure !

You lot do realize this is just another way to screw more money out of the public ? You do realize that you, the general public are being made Canute's off by the CJS and the politicians ?

The country is virtually bankrupt. Entire estates in our towns and cities are terrorized by packs of young thugs. And the best our political elite can come up with is banning smoking in cars.... :erm:

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Since when is the Royal College of Physicians part of the political elite?

(As a smoking non-driver, I think this proposal is madness. Let people make their own choices.)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

As a smoker, it does really nark me off when the world tries to tell me what to do, in my own time, in my own space, with my own life.

Its mine, (the only thing that is truly bloody mine) and I will do with it: what I damn well like, and stick 2 fingers up to anyone who doesn't like it.

I can kind of understand the argument that it is a distraction whilst driving, because it is, but it also keeps me alert and sharpens up my reactions whilst keeping me relatively calm when Mr coke snorting BMW driving sales rep carves me up for 10 feet of tarmac.

However, other cars, speed cameras, fiddling with your tunes (whether attached to the steering column or not), scratching ya wotsits, perving at the fit leggy brunette pushing a pram out of netto, or screaming at your Mrs for saying "your doing 35 in a 30 zone" are just as much of a distraction if not more.

Go ahead !! is what I say, do your worst, ban smoking from driving, at home where ever.

But I,ll still do it and enjoy it all the more for it being that bit naughtier.



Ban smoking whilst driving !!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, MY ARSE

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Yes, I thought that too...

I don't understand what the hoohah is about, surely smokers wouldn't put their kiddies/passengers at risk by smoking in their cars - or would they?! :dozey:

Dare I even mention about third-hand smoke? Such as within fabrics etc ;)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I have many friends that smoke. They see nothing wrong with smoking in a car, or enclosed spaces with their kids present, some of who are new borns/babies. Banning smoking in cars won't effect their mindset - they will just carry on smoking at home etc. There are some people who are too stupid to be educated - Smokers who think there is nothing wrong with smoking in front of their kids in confined spaces fall into that category.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

It's a very selfish habit, the addiction is too strong, most smokers will light up no matter if their kids are in danger of inhaling it. Heroine is probably easier to pack in.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Thanks for comparing a lot of us to heroin addicts :erm:

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

We joke about them fining us for breathing. but we're getting there.

us breathing deprives children. and when you deprive a child there's money to be made from on the spot fines.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

It's unenforceable..The police have enough on their hands as it is..

The only way is to totally ban all tobacco usage. Then of course the police will be spending their time arresting cigarette junkies and strip searching suspects for their stash and arresting tobacco smugglers,

This will mean the considerable revenues will be lost to government ANNND the cost of policing the ban will equal that of combating drug smuggling and those using the present illegal drugs.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Packing in smoking is as hard or as easy as you want it to be. I can say that as an ex-smoker and as someone who works for a stop smoking service.

The hard bit is staying stopped ;)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

No, breathing IN is free but, breathing OUT will cost as that comes under climate change (carbon dioxide) :D

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

To some, the hardest bit is trying to find the cheapest supplier :)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I must thank them for keeping me in a job :rolleyes:

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

As a non-smoking driver I agree....it's my choice that no one smokes in my car, if I go in a someone else's car that's their decision.

And as someone who eats, drinks & fiddles with my stereo when driving :rolleyes: I can't see how smoking at the wheel is any more dangerous. I think more people are killed by speeding than smoking at the wheel.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

They're both addictive harmful drugs, only one is legal and the other isn't.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Thanks for the heads up on my brainfart mistake.... My bad. :o:

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

After 30+ years of smoking I finally managed to kick the habit, that was about 10 years ago. I can honestly say that it did take years for me to actually stop thinking about having one every time I seen someone light up. That feeling/craving has totally left me now. I'll never ever touch another ciggy again.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I'm sure all of us are thrilled when people give up smoking..however that's a matter of free will and free choice..This proposal has no elements of choice whatsoever.

I'm fed up with this nanny state.I keep wondering what they will choose next to stick their unwanted noses into.I'm positive alcohol is the next objective.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Actually, as I understand it, if *anything* distracts the driver (be it cigarette lighting, changing tracks on the sound system or using a mobile), they can already be done for Driving without Due Care and Attention.

Not sure what the point of this law (which is ultimately unenforceable) is beyond making the government look like they are doing something.

I also find it slightly ironic that they want to ban smoking in cars "to protect the young" when the young in question are highly likely to spend half their lives stuck in traffic jams breathing in the fumes from car(s) in front.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

It's not a law. It's a recommendation by the Royal College of Physicians, which the government may or may not act upon. I'm with you on the irony side, though it should be said that driving actually serves a purpose, whereas there's little purpose to smoking.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I know what you mean Maggy, they will stop us from drink driving next :shocked:

DRINK......

DRIVE......

DRUNK......

:D:D:D:D


Only teasing


for those who have little or no sense of humour this was a joke :)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Another ex-smoker here, so well aware of the horrors of 'smoking and driving'.

Personally, I think the relentless persecution of motorists in this country for one reason or another is already, bloody outrageous!
Every new law and ban effects all of us, whether we offend or not.
It's no wonder everyone is blacking out their side windows, the amount of scrutiny we're under on the roads.

I can see the sense of banning mobile-phone usage (even though it hasn't stopped the most hardened offenders) but I think something like smoking can easily be covered by 'dangerous driving' or 'driving without due care and attention', if the driver isn't deemed to be in sufficient control.

As far as the health aspects are concerned.
The information is out there.
Is there a smoker in this country who isn't fully aware of the health risks of smoking, in his own car or anywhere else?
The only proviso I would make (punishable by firing squad) is that people use their ashtrays and stop flicking spent stogies out of their windows.
Those butts don't bio-degrade you know! (and neither does the cellophane packet wrapping!!)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Sorry, my bad. However, bearing in mind the current ban on smoking in public places, a law may not be far away.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Let people live their life how THEY see fit not someone that moans about something until the reality of it hits home hands up here who wants their tax to increase further (even more then it will after the election) to pay for a ban on smoking as ten billion pounds give or take a few million isn't exactly easy to make up. In this country we are constantly having our lifestyles dictated to us by people who other then getting paid by us through the public purse have no real interest in us and enjoy having the power to impact people they don't like.

For me it's simple if it is legal then either get it made illegal and ban it completely or just leave it alone because very soon people even in the UK where we are so used to being battered by government left right and centre are going to get royally fed up and will start revolting against all these nannying stupid laws that this government mainly have bought in. I am a smoker and i consider myself to be a reasonably considerate smoker i never smoke in front of people that don't and i never have but i don't find the same level of consideration on the part of non smoker's most of the time who feel they have a right to have one of my very few damn pleasures in life taken off me because they don't like it.

Yes alcohol will be next probably followed by any food that isn't deemed good for us and then the people who were so fervent in wanting smoking banning will be looking for support in saving their preferred vice well good luck because if you stand by while mine is taken i will do the same when it is time for yours.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

We are getting too used to being told what we can and can't do. we actually start to believe that it's all good for us and expect to be given new orders concerning everything we do in our lives.

all these new orders come with their own fixed penalty if and when we don't comply.

We are almost at the state of mind where we are expecting those people who knock on your door to tell you about Jesus to say "whilst we're here we need to come in and inspect the property for any illegal activity. you will be commiting an offence if you obstruct us whilst we are carrying out our duty"

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

You may be expecting that - most sensible people aren't. ;)

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

The sensible people being the ones who don't drive, don't smoke, don't do anything that affects them yet. but when the time comes that it does. they'll be shouting the loudest :D

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Or would they be the ones taking a rational perspective on things, rather than running about shouting "the sky is falling, the sky is falling". :D

btw, I drive, drink (but not at the same time :)), and don't have an issue with people smoking (but not in our house or cars).

Over-reaction is just as bad, imho, as under-reaction to these things.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

I wish they'd banned it when I was a kid then I wouldn't have been so car sick with my parents puffing away in the front. I wasn't given a choice. But it was enough to put me off smoking for life.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

So does that make it ok for millions of doctor/hospital visits every year due to smoking related illnesses?
" The Doctors open,Go get a bottle of chest medicine luv I pay my taxes on my fags "
Sounds logical to me ;)

---------- Post added at 15:43 ---------- Previous post was at 15:37 ----------


Having watched someone die from years of smoking Gary was not nice, I do not need telling of the danger of second hand smoke.
If they are really serious they will totally ban it, but ofcourse they make money from it so that will not be in the immediate future, got a huge deficit to clear off.
But in the meantime if people wanna play russian roulette be my guest.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

People fiddling around with the cheap iPod dock they got down the market on a Sunday are far worse drivers than smokers.

Re: Ban smoking in all private cars.
 

Tobacco taxation is far more then the cost of treating smoking related illnesses same cannot be said for alcohol which costs more then it raises in revenue. Fact is if you want you can find valid reasons to ban just about everything but that doesn't mean you should or that people shouldn't have a right to do something that is LEGAL. If there is such a problem then make it ILLEGAL but we all know they won't because they want the money while lecturing all and sundry in the process complete hypocrisy on this and the only thng is that all the political parties will be the same on this issue.