The smoking gestapo marches on

They won't stop until it's illegal to smoke anywhere.

A bill to prohibit smoking in a car in which a minor is present will be introduced in the state Senate next week.

Sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), the proposed bill would amend the current statute regarding child endangerment to prescribe criminal penalties for smoking in a motor vehicle in which there is a child, defined in the legislation as anyone under the age of 16.

"We know for a fact that second-hand smoke contributes to heart disease, respiratory illness, and cancer, and responsible parents should try to limit their kids' exposure, even if they themselves aren't ready to quit," Lesniak said.

Under the bill, a person would be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense, punishable by a jail term of up to 30 days, or a fine of up to $500, or both, for a first offense. A person would be charged with a disorderly persons offense for subsequent offenses, with penalties including a jail term of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Lesniak said he got the idea for the bill while driving recently. He noticed a car in the next lane with a mother and two children, with the windows rolled up and a thick cloud of smoke in the car.

"When we were stopped at a red light, I could actually see how thick the smoke was in this car, and how dangerous it was for these kids to be in that environment," he said.

The bill will be introduced during the Senate session Monday.

According to the story, also advancing through the Politburo of the New Jersey Soviet Socialist Republic are bills requiring retailers that advertise an "after-rebate price" to charge the lower price at the time of purchase rather than make buyers send in coupons or log on to manufacturers' Web sites ... requiring the clear disclosure of all terms, conditions and limitations on prepaid telephone calling cards ... requiring clear labeling of meat treated with coloring agents or other processes meant to enhance appearance ... and authorizing counties to operate publicly accessible Wi-Fi networks.

I can sleep at night knowing my legislators are taking care of every little detail of my life. I know I can't trust myself to make my own decisions about smoking; it's such a hassle sending in those rebate coupons so they should be illegal; et cetera et cetera ...