El Dorado Hills couple sues neighbor over cigarette smoke

[VentMedic]

It is a little more than just the offensive smell.

Since the Heart Lung Bill, FDs have gotten better rates on insurance.

Hospitals that have banned hiring employees that smoke and giving notice to those that have failed to quit after given ample time and free services have also reaped the benefits as have the employees with reduced insurance premiums. This is also experienced by many other companies that are not involved in health care. Many of the high tech firms went with smoke free employees many years ago.

[rescue99]

Originally Posted by VentMedic

It is illegal in some states to smoke with a child in the car.

Also, if a child is brought to the ED with respiratory problems and a high carboxy Hb level, that can be used against the patients if the living situation is questionable and if serious enough, they can be charged with child endangerment especially if they know the child has a preexisting condition and they have already been counseled.

I think you are making my case...if a substance is offensive or a risk to the safety and welfare of others...why not go all the way and ban it all? I both understand and respect a person's right to consume legal substances within the parameters of the law. I hate brussel sprouts and I'm highly allergic to shell fish too! I'd dearly love to ban both but, both are legal. What to do, what to do??? Arbitrary prohibition isn't the answer. Tolerance and being respectful of those around us is a reasonable expectation however. Makes much more sense to defend that if we really want to defend a cause.

[VentMedic]

Originally Posted by rescue99

I think you are making my case...if a substance is offensive or a risk to the safety and welfare of others...why not go all the way and ban it all? I both understand and respect a person's right to consume legal substances within the parameters of the law. I hate brussel sprouts and I'm highly allergic to shell fish too! I'd dearly love to ban both but, both are legal. What to do, what to do??? Arbitrary prohibition isn't the answer. Tolerance and being respectful of those around us is a reasonable expectation however. Makes much more sense to defend that if we really want to defend a cause.

As with alcohol, which is legal, you have the right to consume it as long as it does not become offensive or endanger others. One has to differentiate between the willful actions of a person and the substance itself which is now the argument pro marijuana in California. If you forced a child to eat shell fish knowing they were allergic to them, you would be responsible for the action and the shell fish would not be the ones to blame. If you intentionally blow smoke into your asthmatic child's face to where the child may become ventilator dependent with permanent health issues, your actions are what you were in control of.

[mycrofft]

Case could be made for ADA protection if tobacco addiction is perceived as a handicap.

[Seaglass]

Smoking is disgusting and harmful, but I won't complain unless it's seriously bothering me. Same goes for people with heavy perfume. In public, it's also a case of whether I need to be there or can leave, and who was there first.

I'd never support banning anything you do to yourself in private, but public bans on smoking make plenty of sense to me.

Originally Posted by mycrofft

Case could be made for ADA protection if tobacco addiction is perceived as a handicap.

I don't think any other addictions are (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that...), while asthma and allergies have already been established as disabilities. In a direct conflict, I suspect the condition with the established history of being covered would win out.

[VentMedic]

Originally Posted by Seaglass

I'd never support banning anything you do to yourself in private, but public bans on smoking make plenty of sense to me.

Do you approve of the Heart and Lung Act for FFs and other Public Safety Officers? Do you understand why that Bill was passed and is needed?

[Seaglass]

Originally Posted by VentMedic

Do you approve of the Heart and Lung Act for FFs and other Public Safety Officers? Do you understand why that Bill was passed and is needed?

I'm actually not familiar with it, and not finding anything with full text online, except for something in PA that doesn't seem all that relevant. Would you mind posting a link?