Smoking while driving should be banned. Not because children might breath in smoke (they still will at home), but because there are the same distraction issues as there are with using a hand held mobile.

well come and put my kids in to care as i must be a completely evil, no good, uncaring, kid killing, death wish, lung choking smoking form of low life that has no right to have, hold or bring up children who should be taken away and raised by the loving caring welfare state
now where is my lighter i need a ciggy …

factory made cigarettes contain all of that and maybe more
hand rolled tobacco does not i have smoked hand rolled tabacco since 15 years of age and i'm not dead yet
and to tell the truth even if it did kill me i would still have a last fag before i meet my maker …

actually hand rolling tobacco (RYO) has as well. RYO tobacco generally has a higher moisture content when compared to machine made.

thats good that you do not know me or mine, lets keep it that way
which part is 'abhorrent' them standing out in the back yard or i wont lose any sleep …

if they ban smoking while driving i will comply just as i comply with not using a phone
but until then i will continue to smoke while driving to my hearts content …

After all the debate I still can't fathom any positives that smoking brings. I find it bizarre that anyone would chose to partake in such an activity.

one positive
it completely and absolutely upsets the politically correct, fanatical, neo-nazi health brigade
of which i am not a member …

That's your choice. Some people find it an enjoyable social activity. Personally I can't fathom the attraction to bungee jumping given the inherent dangers (such as detaching your retina) and I have no desire to participate, but I would never seek to ban such an activity.

I can understand you wanting the right to smoke, but I just can't understand the callous disregard for your children's health.

In every other respect, from what you've said on the forums, you seem to be a nice, helpful guy and give a lot for your kids. This attitude to the cigarettes and your children's health just doesn't make sense.

Me either, but I would kerb the activity or set it to be put into special places, if people were doing in built-up areas and injuring other people in the process...

I have nothing against smokers smoking at home or in special places. But if there are non-smokers or children around, they shouldn't smoke. I would say open spaces would be okay, but my reaction to cigarette smoke is sensitive enough, that somebody smoking 100M (approx.) up wind from me, will set off a coughing fit and leave me wheezing for up to 8 hours...

Does anyone else think this thread can only end badly?

<carefully walks backwards>

Like so many things in this country that are getting legislated about, this is stupid. Education is the key. Parents need to be empowered to make their own decisions based on the best available information. In the same way that all of us need to be empowered to take decisions about our own lives, without state interference.

I may not like what Steve is doing, but it's his choice. End of. Kids live under the roof of their parents and are subject to the parents rules. That's how I was brought up and I'd go with that. Perhaps if Steve explains to his kids why he smokes, what the risks are and that they are free to leave the room when he does, that we be cool?

I don't have the answer, but I know that more and more statutory bollocks from the government is not it.

Personally, I hate smoking. I tried it once, didn't like it. Tried weed once too, couldn't get on with that either. I guess my asthmatic lungs just don't do inhaling dried leaves through a straw
It smells, is anti-social (although that's largely the governments fault), dangerous to your health and expensive. I don't get the upside either, but people have a right to do what they want. Or at least you used to, and should have.

I'm afraid I'm with Dave on this one.

Steve, you have every right in the world to smoke. It is your choice to poison yourself in search of your nicotine fix.

However, it is NOT your children's choice to be poisoned by you when you can't control your addiction.

Not only are you harming your children by smoking when they are in the car but you are also making it far more likely that they will take up the disgusting habit and die early. That will be entirely your fault.

Nice one.

(Please understand that I am not slating your ability as a parent. I am questioning your choice of smoking when your kids (or any children for that matter) are in the car with you).

my kids are as fit as a fiddle
only time they have seen the doctor is too get a vaccination or treatment for a sports injury
(will have to start suing the school about these injuries that way i can get more money to spend on ciggies)

that don't suffer with asthma nor do they have any allergy to anything
they don't (nor do i) have to visit a doctor or hospital every 5 minutes blocking or wasting the systems resources

as they seem to be very fit and well i must be doing something very wrong …



ps
i smoked half a ciggy writing this …