Ban smoking in cars, says British Medical Association

[The Mighty Elvi]

No. If they are seeking a ban on health grounds because it does harm then the argument follows as to how much harm. It also follows that if it is shown that other actions/activities cause more/greater harm, why not ban them. If you don't, then the argument is nonsensical.

More kids die from drowning in a neighbours pool than do by playing with a neigbours gun. But emotionally people think the pool is safer and want guns banned. The figures show otherwise. But unfortunately an emotional argument is easier to put than a logical one.

If your a government looking to ban things because they do harm. Then logic says you ban the thing that does the most harm to the most people and then work your way down the list.  I argue that death/long term harm from passive smoking, or indeed smoking itself, is not top of the list.

[clipperjay]

Funny soon as NHS have to deal with more smoking related cases, drinking aswell its suddenly really bad for us!(TAXES vs Expenditure) Come on we know exactly what we do! We are human non? Is a smoker worst than a gambler? Lets ban the Lotto last time I knew it was still gambling, hell over a ten year period I reckon you could have spunked over £500 if not more.
If no littering occured on the motoway at all, a work force of about 20,000 would be unemployed instantly!
What comes around goes around. "We do the crime we do the time" I don't need another politcian telling me what I can and cannot do, then spend another 10 million trying to implement the law!  

[clipperjay]

it winds me up when I'm driving behind someone and I see their fag end fly out the window 

I'd ban it just to stop that

Why?
The only problem I can think of would be for motorcyclists behind.

It's littering and it's always a problem for motorists behind.

But as soon as it rains they'll get cleared away, it's not like chucking a McDonalds bag out of the window.
And unless the motorist behind is right up the smokers arse I can't see how it'll be a problem (unless of course that motorist is a motorcyclist)

cigarette butts take 18 months to 500 years to biodegrade - and within one hour of getting wet leaches all the chemicals that it was designed to filter out back into the ecosystem

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/24/bananas-litter-hikers-mountains-scotland

Then the law should be put against the tobacco companies wait....... they pay the government wages 

[VW BUSH]

They tried to ban the bomb a few years back, this would be a good starting place before smoking and save us enough to probabaly cure Cancer + Aids, Might also save a few kids......
Im down with Bill hicks on this one I am afraid


(I am an ex smoker too (apart from occasional lapse when pissed)

[The Mighty Elvi]

In addition to the good points made about about food. If the rationale of the argument is that the child has no choice about smoking in a car, how old is a child when it has a choice about what it eats at home.

High salt and fat, little or no fruit and veg. Child then develops obesity or diabetes, blocked arteries etc..then relies on the NHS for the rest of their short life.

Yet I aint seen anyone recommending a ban on Jeremy Kyle fodder.

[R32UK]

Ban it, only because of the select dirty barstewards chucking butt ends out of the window. Disgusts me!

As opposed to about 90% of people that smoke outside throwing their fag ends on the floor anyway 

As opposed?

Opposed? It's the same thing, still littering.

You dont say. So lets stop people from smoking outside, because lets face it more people throw their fag ends on the floor that out of the window. Hardly the reason to stop people from smoking in their cars is it?

[tigerj360]

The ban would be ridiculous. Adults can decide wether to smoke in their own car/get in a smokers car.

As for smoking around children. If the parents are not educated enough to make the decision not to smoke while their children in their car then thats their own fault.

As discussed their are far more other things that could do with the governments attention

[R32UK]

The ban would be ridiculous. Adults can decide wether to smoke in their own car/get in a smokers car.

As for smoking around children. If the parents are not educated enough to make the decision not to smoke while their children in their car then thats their own fault.
As discussed their are far more other things that could do with the governments attention

EXACTLY!! 

You have a few fools do something stupid and everyone has to suffer. Speed bumps are a perfect example of this!

[Martz]

Interesting points on this. Anyway, to police would be impossible. I see staff smoking in their trucks everyday and doubt nothing gets done about it.

End of the day, your car, your choice.

[simonpolly]

The ban would be ridiculous. Adults can decide wether to smoke in their own car/get in a smokers car.

As for smoking around children. If the parents are not educated enough to make the decision not to smoke while their children in their car then thats their own fault.
As discussed their are far more other things that could do with the governments attention

EXACTLY!! 

You have a few fools do something stupid and everyone has to suffer. Speed bumps are a perfect example of this!

Correct it is the parents fault not the children on the back seat.