As of the first of the year, it is against the law to smoke in a car with children present in the state of Oregon. It is considered borderline child abuse.
I am a wellness advocate. My whole career is focused on helping families create a healthier environment. I teach awareness and simple solutions to problems like:
"Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities." 1My work does not involve the legal system and so this legislation was news to me. I found this article quite compelling.
As recounted by The Oregonian's Christian Gaston, Jim Thompson (R-Dallas) compared smoking with little kids in the car to a parent who would "strap your kids in the back of a car and smoke them like bacon."
The smoker faces a fine of $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent ones.
The police will not be able to pull over a vehicle simply because someone is smoking in a car with children present. They will first have to cite another violation, such as speeding, running a stop sign or changing a lane without proper notice.
Although some lawmakers objected to Oregon going too far to police personal conduct,Thompson, said the state is right to protect chlldren from second-hand smoke in such closed quarters.
The Oregon House passed Senate Bill 444 in a 43-15 vote, against the objections of some lawmakers who groused about it as a “nanny state” provision, or questioned its effectiveness.
What do you think?
sources:
http://www.evhealthyliving.com/peggy
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/06/oregon_legislature_passes_ban.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/smokers_beware_smoking_in_a_ca.htmlhttp://www.evhealthyliving.com/peggy
