Wednesday 4th May 2005

German MPs call for smoking ban

No puffing while driving, say legislators

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First phones, now smoking

Banning things is becoming addictive. According to news agency Reuters, German lawmakers want to ban smoking while driving on the grounds that it's dangerous.

"The dangers of causing an accident rise drastically when you smoke and drive," said Peter Danckert of the ruling Social Democrats. "I want a complete ban on smoking for drivers."

Following the passage of legislation in Germany of a law outlawing the use of cell phones for drivers, Katherina Reiche of the opposition Christian Democrats agreed, saying, "Cigarettes are just as much of a distraction as cell phones," she said. "We need a new law banning it with fines."

Meanwhile, German motoring club ADAC spokesman Rainer Hillgaertner said, "Eating chocolate bars, bananas or fish sandwiches while driving is also dangerous."

Of course, the safest thing to do in a moving car is nothing but drive. But how far can legislators go? In the end, it's going to come down to a political judgement -- and it's unlikely that there's public support at the moment for going much further than banning mobile phone conversations.

[beanbag]

Well why not? If us healthy folk aren't allowed to eat apples, why should smokers be allowed to puff away?

to this law....hopefully in the UK shortly.