[Oriz]

I would personally rather see them doing both instead of writing speeding tickets, or pulling people over for a headlight, etc.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by FrugalYankee

We don't have unlimited law enforcement resources. Which would you rather see? A cop spending time cruising downtown areas where drug dealers hang out, or spending 20 minutes writing up / explaining this new law to someone? Pick one.

As I wrote in my second post on this thread, is it possible this law is in place to give police a reason to pull over a potential drug transporter? There have been parents caught hauling drugs with kids in tow.

[FrugalYankee]

I think it's possible that police might use it that way. I doubt that was what the legislature intended. If they wanted to loosen up on the concept of probable cause, they would have done that directly.

[Mtneer12]

Anything that makes a smoker's life more miserable is welcome.

[looking4home]

The city I live in California banned smoking in open air public parks several years ago. It was a time when the city council was trying to look progressive and jump on the health/green bandwagon. It was absurd because there is really no danger of children or anyone else being harmed by second hand smoke in an open-air setting. So they quickly back tracked and claimed it was to reduce litter and the danger of fire. Although the city does allow fireworks within the city limits, even though we are having a major drought.

There are also cities in California that have banned smoking inside of apartment buildings because the second hand smoke can travel into other apartments where there are children. Not only does this sound absurd from a scientific standpoint, but I'm sure there is a civil rights violation in there somewhere.

[harry chickpea]

"There are also cities in California that have banned smoking inside of apartment buildings because the second hand smoke can travel into other apartments where there are children. Not only does this sound absurd from a scientific standpoint, but I'm sure there is a civil rights violation in there somewhere."

Actually, that isn't as absurd as it might seem. There was a court case in Florida between one of the great pornographers and his estranged wife. They lived in separate domiciles in the same condo and he used to intentionally fill the air (according to her) with cigar smoke to nauseate her in her own condo.

[Oriz]

I second Mtneer's comment...

And no, it is not absurd at all to ban smoking in open spaces, let alone in apartment buildings. No one should have to inhale or smell that who doesn't want to. If smokers themselves can't be considerate enough to others - then it should be legislated.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by Oriz

I second Mtneer's comment...

And no, it is not absurd at all to ban smoking in open spaces, let alone in apartment buildings. No one should have to inhale or smell that who doesn't want to. If smokers themselves can't be considerate enough to others - then it should be legislated.

... along with perfume and body sprays and those stink bombs that people plug into wall sockets. I had to leave one doctor's office waiting room because the cheap perfume was making me ill, and I hold my breath at the local post office because of the "deodorizer" spewing out chemicals. I'd rather clean cow manure.

[atlaw]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

I am staggered by the willingness being shown now to consider giving up freedoms and privacy. Even NY stopped the "stop and frisk" policy. It is clear to me that many people have not read and understood "1984" "Animal Farm" "Lord of the Flies" or researched into the history of repressive and oppressive police states.

This type of thinking is antithetical to the Vermont I grew up in. When there are no freedoms left to defend, warriors only defend oppression.

I lived in Vt. from the early 70's to the mid 80's. I am so glad I left the East. Flame away!

[Oriz]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

... along with perfume and body sprays and those stink bombs that people plug into wall sockets. I had to leave one doctor's office waiting room because the cheap perfume was making me ill, and I hold my breath at the local post office because of the "deodorizer" spewing out chemicals. I'd rather clean cow manure.

Only difference is no one has proven yet that second hand perfume and body spray can actually kill you.