Bills Filed in Okla. to Reduce Smoking, Protect Minors From Smoke

January 24, 2008

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:13 am
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    Once again, we have the government crossing the line.

    They are requiring the health insurance carriers provide smoking cessation programs. They have no right to meddle in private industry, and it really makes me angry.

    As far as smoking in your car, it is none of their business either. I’m an ex-smoker, which is worse than a never-smoker. I do not believe children should be exposed to cigarette smoke, BUT they are clearly crossing barriers they should not be crossing.

    As far as the fire-safe cigarettes, I have to ask what kind of chemicals are they going to have to add to make a burning cigarettte not burn?

    People wine about the Patriot Act, but I have to say you’ve got a lot bigger problem with government intrusion.

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:20 am
    Jackson says:
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    It must stop. The government has the authority to stop this injustice upon its people but because of its economic value to its coffers it refuses to act upon something so simple to do. Former smoker, I quit. Loved it and still miss it but guess what? I lived and so would all of the other addicted smokers. Phase it out over a period of three years.

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:26 am
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    Good God! I thought they were interfering. If someone wants to smoke, it’s there right. Please tell me you really don’t believe the gov’t has the right to tell an industry to close it’s doors because people want to inhale burning carcinogens?

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:34 am
    JB says:
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    The government is not crossing the line regarding the protection of minors. Exposing a child to toxic levels of smoke is tantamount to child abuse. The idiot parents/guardians are creating an ‘insured’ that currently needs and will continue needing medical care due to bad habits/bad health instilled upon them by their [idiot] parents/guardians. I’m with ya on the smoking cessation, but someone needs to look out for our children! I am furious when I see vehicle with an unrestrained child, child in the front seat/lap, or trapped in the car with a smoker. While I’m on the soapbox, childhood obesity is perpetuated by the parents, as well..

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:41 am
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    Maybe we can put parent cameras in every parent’s home to make sure what is “best” is being done. We’ll leave the watching to the government.

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:42 am
    lastbat says:
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    I’ve never been a smoker (though my parents smoked until I was about 14) but do applaud the tobacco industry. It’s the only industry mandated by law to actively discourage consumption of its product yet still manages to make billions in profit every year. Gotta love that.

    As for smoking in the car, I’m up in the air. Yes children need to be protected, but we allow parents so much leeway with their children as it is, and as is right; the biggest reason for picking on smokers is that smoking as one of the “big devils” right now. I worry about the intrusion into my life. I say let insurance companies choose what they will cover. It already costs more to insure if you’re a smoker, jack that price up a little if you want; or stop insuring smokers altogether for smoking related illnesses. Extend it to their children if you want.

    I’m not trying to be a ******* here, but government regulation will never get people to stop inhaling, injecting or ingesting mind-altering substances. The market has a decent shot at it, but even that won’t discourage people who really want to alter themselves. I’ve got more on this, but I’ll stop now.

  • January 24, 2008 at 2:48 am
    1984 says:
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    Ahhhh, parent cameras, child cameras, overt regulations, etc., etc.,….Big Brother is watching!!

  • January 24, 2008 at 3:10 am
    Nobody Important says:
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    My dad smoked 5 packs a day when I was a kid and my sisters and I suffered absolutely no harm. Of course, this isn’t proof of no harm, but I think the intrution into the private homes of people needs to stop. I may be exagerating, but I really don’t see smoking around children is the same as beating them. Child abuse, baloney.

  • January 24, 2008 at 3:19 am
    Dave says:
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    What about all of these parents who are forcing their children to live in heavily polluted cities such as Los Angeles, Houston and New York?

  • January 24, 2008 at 3:51 am
    KLS says:
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    Rrrrgggg… things like this make me cringe!

    Do I agree with people smoking while their kids are in the car? No way! What an awful thing to do to your kids.

    BUT… I think the law would be over-stepping a person’s right to privacy by saying they can’t smoke in their own vehicle, regardless of passengers.

    Somebody please fact-check me on that. Do we have a “right to privacy” provided to us by the Constitution? I was a bad history student, I admit that. I think we all agree we should have a “right” to privacy though.

    As for the insurance issue, just raise the flipping preimums for smokers. DUH! The carrier should not be -required- to offer cessation coverage. For one thing, not every person will successfully quit smoking. And not every smoker will take advantage of it. Besides, there are still huge debates as to what forms of cessation assistance are actually effective.

    Smoking is a health hazard; I think even smokers are aware of it. But let’s quit picking on them. There are worse people in the world who need Big Brother up their butts. Let the smokers have a little peace and quiet.



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