Cigarette Nazis in NJ

[stxbuck]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050725/ap_on_re_us/smoking_drivers
This is an absolute outrage-if this bill were to pass, you couldn't even light up in your car anymore in NJ! I recently quit smoking, but before that, I probably smoked 70% of my cigarettes while driving. People complain about fundamentalist religious nuts, but some of these anti-smoking, anti-fast food people are just as bad..........

 

[gbearbuck]

I noticed that on the news last night... I don't smoke, and I don't care for smoke when I'm eating food... if there is a smoking and nonsmoking room (not "section") I'm fine with it. I have no problem with people smoking in a bar... Telling somebody what they can do when they are in their own private vehicle...??? When is it going to stop... next thing you know, folks will be going to jail for smoking in their own house... plain crazy...

 

[CCI]

that is bull shit, first it's no smoking in bars and in public places now this, if it's a law...

next it will be a felony up to 5 years in the slammer for smoking

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

ya gotta understand NJ politicians... it doesn't have to make sense.. it just has to be able to generate revenue... NJ added a tax specifically for cosmetic surgery... so it sees another opportunity to cash in...

I don't smoke.. so I don't care... but it certainly doesn't surprise me... and they wonder why no one ever plans on retiring and still living in Jersey...

PS We have a three prong traffic stop process... license, registration, proof of insurance... $78 fine PER DOCUMENT for failure to immediate present these ... you are not permitted to start the car unless you have all 3

 

[NorthShoreBuck]

A lot of my customers handle tobacco products.
The states have gone nuts with anti smoking rules and taxes.
I think NY is trying to force a fireproof cigarette. Think about that one for a minute.
NJ is one of the highest tax states so it is in their best interest not to prevent smoking unless thay want to see a drastic reduction in revenues.

I do not smoke and do not want to be around it when I eat. I will say that one of the most sad sights I see is 10 people standing outside the front of a building huddled around an ashtray. This does not present the image I would want my company to project.

More not so higher thinking brought to you by elected stooges. Do us all a favor and do not vote for them next time. Of course you have to consider what the other candidate will propose.:(

 

[scarletandgrey]

I seen this on the news also. What a rediculous request! Before you know it cigarettes will be illegal all together. Smoke'em up now boys while you still have a chance.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Before you know it cigarettes will be illegal all together. Smoke'em up now boys while you still have a chance.

you sure got SIMV worried now

 

[buckeyefool]

If it passes the house will be next because if you smoke in your house, then it will be child endangerment. And then you will have to go outside to smoke. Of course if you go outside then you are leading to air pollution which will be against the law also. Sp if you are a smoker....you are screwed.

 

[exhawg]

I seen this on the news also. What a rediculous request! Before you know it cigarettes will be illegal all together. Smoke'em up now boys while you still have a chance.

That will never happen because they need your tax money. I think it's a game to see how much shit smokers will take to keep smoking.

 

[BuckBackHome]

You guys might actually be surprised how many cities already have laws like this on the books. Their laws may not restrict smoking in vehicles specifically, but they may have something along the lines of "distractions while driving." One large OH city has such a law. Technically you could not even take one hand off the wheel to turn the radio station.

This law does seem a bit excessive. I cannot imagine what an enforcement nightmare this would be.

I will say that one of the most sad sights I see is 10 people standing outside the front of a building huddled around an ashtray. This does not present the image I would want my company to project.(

I lived in a town previously where the local hospital prohibited smoking on campus. What they did not think about was that all employees would then stand on the sidewalk by the drive entrances and smoke. The hospital wanted the city to prohibit smoking on sidewalks but the city did not bite.

 

[buckeyefool]

This law does seem a bit excessive. I cannot imagine what an enforcement nightmare this would be.
.

There are actually a ton of laws out there that people don't know about. I have talked to several police officers in different areas over time, and all of them have basicly said the same thing in that if a cop is behind you and they can't find something within 5 minutes of pulling in behind you, then they are not doing their job. One example, plate covers that you are given or can buy are actually illeagle because they cover part of the plate on the car

 

[AKAK]

The funny thing is that when I saw this on the [Columbus] news the other night they had obviously picked up some footage from a NJ affiliate (Unless we've added a bunch of traffic circles I'm unaware of ) and the footage just showed a bunch of people yapping on their cell phones.

Obviously... other than the "Hey, lets generate more revenue" angle... this is legislated smoking cessation, meets "we don't like cigarette butts on the side of the road" finally meeting driving distractions... so... like smoking in bars in Columbus... which is "we hate smoking" disguised as "safety in the workplace."

Anyway... you have to wonder how law enforcement agencies in NJ react to stupid crap like this.... "Oh... lets get right out there and bust the smoking drivers." See, in my opinion... its this kind of thing that makes driving less safe... First, because it is yet another distraction from the really dangerous lunatics out there... and second, because it adds another law that's just not going to be enforced.... and to me... the cops are about as good at this stuff as you average NHL official... but if its not speeding or DUI... they don't care.

 

[BuckBackHome]

There are actually a ton of laws out there that people don't know about. I have talked to several police officers in different areas over time, and all of them have basicly said the same thing in that if a cop is behind you and they can't find something within 5 minutes of pulling in behind you, then they are not doing their job. One example, plate covers that you are given or can buy are actually illeagle because they cover part of the plate on the car

Absolutely correct. Also, many cops have certain things they target. My brother, former cop, used to go nuts with those lights under cars and around license plates and God help you if he pulled you over and your child was not properly restrained. Another cop I know always pulls people over for loud stereos. If I were a cop the thing that would get me is when people flick their cigarette butts out the window. Nothing quite like having one of those hit your windshield when going down the road at 70.

 

[MolGenBuckeye]

I think NY is trying to force a fireproof cigarette. Think about that one for a minute.

Just make them out of asbestos. If someone's already willing to take something poisonous, light it on fire, and stick it in their mouth, they shouldn't mind, right?

 

[kinch]

Maybe it's not a distraction issue. Maybe NJ is just worried about people smoking and then getting out and pumping gas or something.

Oh wait, you aren't allowed to pump your own gas in NJ either.

Stupid state.