Ban smoking in cars?

Some people will say this is the beginnings of a dictatorship but that’s just silly. Didn’t they notice the increasing signs, approaching by stealth over the last fifteen years? Have they just noticed because it involves cigarettes? What next? Booze?

OK, being sensible now. A few things flag up in my mind. Firstly, should we or shouldn’t we be allowed to poison ourselves if we wish?

And the concern that it’s bad for children in cars is just insane. Someone trying to argue that they’re really worried about a child’s welfare rings wholly false.

OK, so ban smoking. Ban shouting at children in Chesham High Street too. Ban verbal abuse and horrid teachers. Ban slapping children. Ban bad parents, bad influences on them (especially Rhianna and will Young who can’t sing). Better still, just ban children. Grown-ups are just too silly to make good parents.

When in Bournemouth a few years ago, we were driving along and confronted suddenly by a closed road. There was a huge blaze ahead.

The next day the papers reported that ash from a passenger’s lit cigarette had flown into the window of another passing car and set fire to it. (Sounds a bit cartoony to me but it was Bournemouth…) Most smokers do seem to hang their arm out of the car window when holding a lit cigarette. Even in cold weather. (Ban this: they could have their arm severed/chilled.) The question is: how will anyone enforce this ban? Smoke police? Vigilantes? Amersham alone is full of hundreds of drivers talking on their phones and texting while driving. Yes, while actually moving.

The overstretched police can’t enforce existing laws, how will they manage an extra one? Maybe they’ll have to do away with one law to make room for this one? (Legalise pot!) Possession of a packet of cigarettes will be next.

So, smoke while you can, drivers. Get all that tar into you while you’re still free to do so. Drive and drag a fag – your days may be numbered. In more ways than one.

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