Post by ppyenews on Jun 10, 2006 8:25:32 GMT -5
“Pull Over” or “put it Out”
Welcome to ‘Talkback Topic’ – I’m Phillip Pye.
The World today is not all that friendly toward the “Smoker”. Light up in most places these days and you are bound to receive a few unappreciative looks from passers-by or those nearby. Apart from the boundaries of your own backyard there is hardly a place anywhere where you can light up a Cigarette, Cigar or Pipe without it being a non-smoking area. To the “Smoker” it must feel as though one is being discriminated against, singled out and made to feel like a social outcast. The pressure to make tobacco smoking uncomfortable is on, and what’s more, the anti-tobacco lobbyists are winning.
One of the last bastions of smoking is now under attack, the Automobile.
Pressure to ban smoking behind the wheel is gaining momentum worldwide, according to Australia’s Wheels magazine. In Scotland, the on-the-spot fine for smoking behind the wheel will be the same as if you’re caught talking on a mobile phone, sixty pounds ($150 AUD). Brazil’s already banned smoking in cars, Germany’s pushing to do the same. In Australia, pressure is mounting for politicians to weigh in with a similar smoking ban, together with bans on eating, drinking and other driving distractions. Researchers claim smokers are twice as likely to be involved in crashes as non-smokers.
The Australian Democrats, have called for a ban on smoking while driving. They claim that if using mobile phones is illegal, so should cigarette smoking in cars, because of its capacity to distract drivers. Recent research from Spain says smokers are twice as likely to be involved in car crashes as non-smokers. Closer to home, Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, in Melbourne reviewed studies on smoking and car safety, and published its findings in late 2003. The review concluded that, “it is clear that smoking while driving is a hazard”.
The Monash review points out that several studies have found that smokers have an increased risk of being involved in motor accidents, and actual distraction caused by the act of smoking is a likely factor. The review concludes that "it is clear that smoking while driving is a hazard." One study cited connects it with over 2,000 accidents a year.
In NSW, health minister John Hatzistergos recently opened the debate by placing the emphasis on the effects of passive smoking on children travelling in cars. He claimed that the majority of adults are responsible when it comes to their child’s health but the few who smoke with children in the car are placing their child at considerable risk from passive smoking. “The World Health Organisation says children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke because they are still developing and have higher breathing rates than adults.”
The other determining factor is fire. Many cigarettes butts are simply thrown out of car windows instead of being extinguished in the car ashtray. Besides the risk of fire, the cigarette butt is already an environmental nightmare. The matter though is on the agenda in Australia and only time will allow the practice to continue. You may not want to stop smoking, but if you do and you are driving I strongly suggest you get in a bit of practice now and “Pull Over” or “Put it Out”. If you don’t, it’ll cost you.
I’m Phillip Pye.
Welcome to ‘Talkback Topic’ – I’m Phillip Pye.
The World today is not all that friendly toward the “Smoker”. Light up in most places these days and you are bound to receive a few unappreciative looks from passers-by or those nearby. Apart from the boundaries of your own backyard there is hardly a place anywhere where you can light up a Cigarette, Cigar or Pipe without it being a non-smoking area. To the “Smoker” it must feel as though one is being discriminated against, singled out and made to feel like a social outcast. The pressure to make tobacco smoking uncomfortable is on, and what’s more, the anti-tobacco lobbyists are winning.
One of the last bastions of smoking is now under attack, the Automobile.
Pressure to ban smoking behind the wheel is gaining momentum worldwide, according to Australia’s Wheels magazine. In Scotland, the on-the-spot fine for smoking behind the wheel will be the same as if you’re caught talking on a mobile phone, sixty pounds ($150 AUD). Brazil’s already banned smoking in cars, Germany’s pushing to do the same. In Australia, pressure is mounting for politicians to weigh in with a similar smoking ban, together with bans on eating, drinking and other driving distractions. Researchers claim smokers are twice as likely to be involved in crashes as non-smokers.
The Australian Democrats, have called for a ban on smoking while driving. They claim that if using mobile phones is illegal, so should cigarette smoking in cars, because of its capacity to distract drivers. Recent research from Spain says smokers are twice as likely to be involved in car crashes as non-smokers. Closer to home, Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, in Melbourne reviewed studies on smoking and car safety, and published its findings in late 2003. The review concluded that, “it is clear that smoking while driving is a hazard”.
The Monash review points out that several studies have found that smokers have an increased risk of being involved in motor accidents, and actual distraction caused by the act of smoking is a likely factor. The review concludes that "it is clear that smoking while driving is a hazard." One study cited connects it with over 2,000 accidents a year.
In NSW, health minister John Hatzistergos recently opened the debate by placing the emphasis on the effects of passive smoking on children travelling in cars. He claimed that the majority of adults are responsible when it comes to their child’s health but the few who smoke with children in the car are placing their child at considerable risk from passive smoking. “The World Health Organisation says children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke because they are still developing and have higher breathing rates than adults.”
The other determining factor is fire. Many cigarettes butts are simply thrown out of car windows instead of being extinguished in the car ashtray. Besides the risk of fire, the cigarette butt is already an environmental nightmare. The matter though is on the agenda in Australia and only time will allow the practice to continue. You may not want to stop smoking, but if you do and you are driving I strongly suggest you get in a bit of practice now and “Pull Over” or “Put it Out”. If you don’t, it’ll cost you.
I’m Phillip Pye.
