Council backs move to ban smoking in cars with kids
By Bill Rea

Caledon councillors have come down strongly in favour of the move to ban smoking in cars carrying children; or at last most of them have.

Councillor Allan Thompson was almost passionate in his opposition, stating this was another case of authorities sticking their noses where they don't belong.

Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti put forth a private members' bill at Queen's Park last month, calling for such a ban.

And council last week received a letter from the Ontario Medical Association, stating they have been advocating just such a move. The letter also said such a bylaw has been passed in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, "proof that local action can be taken."

"Research shows that vehicles can be a potent source of SHS (second-hand smoke), and that such exposure can be 23 times more toxic than a house because air circulation is restricted within a small space," the letter stated, adding children exposed to excessive SHS are at higher risk for respiratory illnesses, including asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as sudden infant death syndrome.

Thompson stressed that he's not a smoker, although he realizes there are people who have the habit.

"Common sense has to kick in," he declared. "If they love their kids, why would they be smoking in a vehicle?"

He added he has faith in family values, and was concerned that this tendency is getting out of hand.

"This is nuts!" he declared.

Several councillors said they understood where Thompson was coming from, although they couldn't agree with him.

Councillor Richard Whitehead said common sense should tell people to wear their seatbelts when riding in a car, but it took passage of laws to force some people to do it. He added people should have the common sense not to talk on cell phones while driving, but lots of them do.

"This freedom of the inside of a car is different from the freedom of your own property," he observed.

Councillor Richard Paterak recalled he had troubles with SHS as a child.

"This is about children's rights," he commented. "Kids have rights."

Councillor Annette groves said she could see both sides, but she cited the point that SHS in a car can be 23 per cent more concentrated than in a house. That was enough to tell her it's a problem.

"There are some folks out there who don't have any common sense," she declared, adding they had to act on behalf of the kids.

Councillor Jason Payne observed it's an individual's right to smoke, if they so choose, but they have to be aware of those around them, especially now that there's more known about the impacts of SHS.

"We should not have to legislate awareness, but the reality is we do," Councillor Doug Beffort remarked.

Thompson countered the real answer would be a complete ban on cigarettes. "That's the right way to go about it," he observed.