Vermont's latest Smoking Policy

Shyanne ThompsonJuly 28th, 2014

Policy Research Presentation

Want a cigarette while you are driving?

• Not in Vermont?• Because Vermont implement some of the

nations strictest anti-smoking laws.• The bottom line is you really need to think

about your children, "said Ron Bevin's, a father and smoker.

• The department of health says with this law their goal is not to fine or ticket anyone, but instead encourage a change in behavior.

As of July 1st, 2014

• Vermont became the 7th state in the country to ban smoking in cars carrying children.

• Vermont became the 6th state in the country to ban smoking in hotel rooms.

• This law comes 27 years after Vermont implemented its first anti-smoking law.

• 50 years after the surgeon general first rules that smoking is dangerous.

Many life’s have been lost!

Estimated that since 1964 when smoking was first said

to be dangerous smoking has killed 20 million people

in the United States!

Why smoking is dangerous

Tobacco is the No. 1 KillerIt complicates asthma, heart

disease, stroke, early, unexpected sudden infant

death and low birth weight in babies.

Details about the new smoking law in Vermont

Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen said it is hoped that the latest expansion of Vermont’s anti-smoking laws will encourage smokers to quit and protect the health of people who are around smokers, including children and hotel staff members who could be exposed to secondhand smoke.Under this law it not only is smoking banned in hotel rooms but also on all state property, on the property of hospitals or secure residential recovery facilities owned or operated by the state. It also bans tobacco products at schools and child care centers.

This is why cig. Are so dangerous

Other States with the same VisionRebecca Ryan a senior director, health education and public policy, at the American Lung Association in Vermont said smoking in cars was banned first in Arkansas in 2006 followed by Louisiana. The other states are California, Washington, Oregon. Maine banned smoking in cars carrying children under age of 16 in 2008Now Vermont in 2014 but its only for kids 8 and under. Why eight and under? What about all the other kids?

What happens if you don’t follow the law?

If you are caught in a car smoking with a child 8

and younger you will be subjected to fines up to

$100.00

So what about 9-18 year olds?How can you tell the age of a child?

• According to Vermont State Police Lt. Garry Scott, traffic safety commander, “it is going to be difficult to figure out how old the kid in the car is, but if you see a car seat in the car and the operator is smoking there’s grounds to at least stop the vehicle and they can investigate from there what’s going on in the car”

Can you tell how old she is?

Can you tell how old this boy is?

Health vs.Freedom

• We are being told that we cant do something in our own car. What is next? A cop can come to our home and see if we are smoking with a child in our home?

• The age restriction is 8 and under, if the law was smoking with no kids UNDER THE AGE OF 18 that would make more since because 18 is when you are able to start smoking if you decide to.

• The American lung association has advocated for years to protect all children under the age of 18, this law will shield Vermont's youngest and most vulnerable, and is a step in the right direction.

Benefits from the new smoking law. • Smoke from tobacco contains fine particle pollution, also

known as particulate matter or PM 2.5, the same pollution that comes from vehicle exhaust.

• Smoking in cars raises the level of particle pollution was above US Environment Protection Agency’s outdoor air standards.

• A study done at Harvard School of Public Health showed alarming levels of secondhand smoke were generated in just under five minutes in the vehicle under various driving, ventilation and smoking conditions even with the windows opened

• Second hand smoke increases risk for cancer, asthma, middle ear infection, bronchitis, and sudden infant death.

• The American Lung Association is hoping this new law will also succeed in motivating parents who have been thinking of quitting smoking- for their health and the health of their children- to finally quit once and for all.

Cons about smoking law

• Some argues for the importance of individual freedom.

• Smoking age is 18 Use the money from cigarette tax revenues for smoking prevention programs so fewer students start, even when they are 21

• Less pollution• Healthier kids and adults

Micro Macro

• The children 8 and under is my Micro. The law is trying to protect those to young to do it for themselves, I think this is great but look at the macro, we are forgetting many children 9 years or older. What about them, why do they have to breath in secondhand smoke. This is unfair and not ethical.

• The families are the micro while the communities health and freedom of speech is the macro.

• Everything we do or say will have actions and actions result to change. I agree with the Vermont American Lung Association, it should be for all children, but this is a good step in the right direction.

Why we need this?

• To protect our youngest generation• To educate those around the world• Reduce the pollution in the air• To motivate smokers to quit or at least

think before they light up in a car with children.

• Tobacco companies are making cigarettes deadlier then ever

• Protect the public from the health risks of secondhand smoke.

Where you aware of this law?Was there enough publication?

• A Vermont police department said it has issued its first ticket to a driver who was smoking with a child in his car. St. Johnsbury Police said a civil ticket that included a $162 fine was issued last week to Daniel Berube, 32, after his car was stopped Saturday for having a defective muffler. The Caledonian Record reported that Officer Steve Hartwell found Berube smoking a cigarette in the driver’s seat with a toddler in a car seat in the back. Hartwell said Berube told him he knew of the new law, but did not know whether it was being enforced yet. On July 1, Vermont enacted a law that prohibits smoking in cars carrying children under age 8 (bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/23/)

Work Cited PageWPTX Burlington news article June 25th, 2014Rebecca Ryan Vermont anti- smoking law speechWCAX news June 27th by Judy Simpson Vermont set to Ban smoking in carshttps://acluvt.org/learn.more/www.bostonglobe.com/.../Vermont...outlaw...smoking July 28th, 2014bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/23/healthvermont.gov/.../restrictions_law.asp July 1st, 2014