Right to Oxygen - 2012 Campaign

Being an election year, people tend to be very vocal about their opinions and beliefs regarding a wide range of topics.  Topics that vary from healthcare to schooling.  I understand that many have made significant sacrifices for my right to even have my opinions and beliefs; and for that I am forever grateful. It is important to respect that by being tolerant of others and their views. In no way, shape or form, do I want to judge someone for exercising their right to specific lifestyle choices such as smoking.

However, today, as I stopped at a red light near one of the busiest intersections in town, I looked to my right, and what did I see?  A mother lighting up in an enclosed Pontiac with her two precious children in the back, strapped to a car seat.  This sparked some questions in my head: “What about the rights of our youth?”  “Don’t they have a say?” 

The law clearly states that you must be 18 before you can purchase cigarettes or any other tobacco products, and I am assuming it is because the government wants to protect children from the harmful effects of the cleverly hidden nicotine until they are physically and mentally mature enough to decide for their own wellbeing.                        

While the Constitution stresses many rights like “Freedom of Speech.”  Children don’t have a voice solely because they can’t communicate?  Sadly, the little kids in that car had no choice, as the decision was their mother’s.  The guardians or parents should be entitled to the right to decide if they want to harm their body through firsthand smoke… but they should not be entitled the right to just “assume” that secondhand smoke is fine for their offspring to inhale. 

Children are completely dependent on their parents or guardians for their welfare.  Kids rely heavily on their caregivers to make the right decisions for them.  They don’t understand the complications that can come from the recreational activity “smoking” like grownups do nowadays with the enhanced research and technology. 

I am prosing a movement to make smoking while in an enclosed area with present children under 18 ILLEGAL!  The law should consider it child endangerment, if not … child abuse!  Fines should be issued and warrants and arrests should be made.  It is unconstitutional and wrong morally and ethically.  How would you like to be “death sentenced” in a “gas-chamber” on your way to school every day?  J (407)