The argument isn’t about whether second hand smoke is harmful. The point of contention is the issue of privacy:

“Don’t light up while driving with minors inside Big Apple city limits.

That’s the proposal a New York City councilman will unveil today, a relatively straightforward idea that incites sharp division among supporters eager to snuff out smoking and opponents who lament an unnecessary privacy infringement.”

link: Cars With Kids: NYC’s Next Smoking Ban?

The children may spend only a small portion of their time in the car with a person who smokes. What about the time in the house? Will there be legislation to safeguard children from a smoking parent in the home? And how would this ever be enforced?

The legislation has wonderful intent. However, lawmakers have yet to find a way to legislate common sense.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]legislation, cars, children, smoking, privacy, health, new york city[/tags]