On Friday Katy Gallagher announced the release of a discussion paper on protecting children in cars from passive smoking (now known as the more modish environmental tobacco smoke or ETS).
On the one hand it seems like a peculiar piece of nannyism, particularly as it relies on the exceptional abrogations of our rights which we accept in the interests of road safety for enforcement.
On the other hand if they can regulate which electronic devices you can operate while driving why not add the consumption of coffin nails?
The three kites Katy is flying are:
- 1. Ban smoking in a motor vehicle when a child under the age of 16 years is present.
2. Ban smoking in a motor vehicle when any passengers are present.
3. Total ban on smoking while driving
A total ban on smoking in cars would at least teach the bores who can’t survive without taking a drag every five minutes that in fact it is possible.
If you want to have your say on this (and the New Years timing suggests Katy would rather you did not) then you’ve got until 27 February to sling it in to:
- Mail: Smoking in cars
Health Protection Service
Locked Bag 5
Weston Creek ACT 2611
Email: hps@act.gov.au
Fax: (02) 6205 1705
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