Smoking trucker story – still smokin’
p2pnet news view | Freedom:- We apologise. Yesterday morning p2pnet incorrectly identified Ontario Provincial Police constable Shawna Coulter as the zealous officer who slammed a truck driver with a $305 fine for smoking in his cab.
Apparently, she was but an OPP spokeswoman.
“Essex County OPP stopped the tractor-trailer … after noticing the lone driver headed down Highway 401 in Lakeshore with a cigarette between his lips,” the Windsor Star had her saying.
Coulter is quoted as stating, “butting out while driving also eliminates one more distraction, says the story, adding she compared it to, “talking on the phone and driving, which has recently been outlawed”.
“They deemed that to be a distraction,” says Coulter. “So lighting a cigarette, to me, is a no-brainer.
“When you’re smoking you’re not paying attention to the road. One, you’re lighting it and you’ve got fire inside a vehicle. Two, you’re going to be butting it out. Whether you butt it out the window or an ashtray, you’re eyes are coming off the road.”
The incident certainly put the OPP on the map.
It’s being blogged about and reported around the world.
It’s also, “trained a spotlight on what the trucking industry considers a confusing legal minefield that may give the trucker good reason to fight the fine,” says Sun Media.
Most trucks on Ontario roads are owned by so-called extra-provincial companies — they do business in other provinces and U.S. states — that are federally regulated, story quotes the Ontario Trucking Association’s Doug Switzer as saying.
“The drivers, therefore, are exempt under the three-year-old Smoke-Free Ontario Act and are instead governed by a federal anti-smoking legislation,” says he story, adding:
“The federal rules, Switzer says, still allow designated workplace smoking areas — the Ontario one doesn’t — and a truck’s cab can be a designated area as long as no non-smoker is forced to work in it.”
Canada isn’t, however, the only country with fierce anti-smoking laws.
Last month, a 28-year-old Parisian was fined, says Le Post.
For smoking at the wheel.
“I asked the policeman not to fine me, telling him that now that I knew it was an offence I wouldn’t do it again,” the transgressor says in the story.
But the gendarmes weren’t having any and he was fined €22 (about $C34).
At 3:49 am, when we started this, the first story had been read 7,415 times.
Wen we posted this at 4:30 am, it’d had 7,498 reads and 55 comments.
Smoking is still a big deal.
Shawna Coulter – Trucker smoked for lighting up, October 14, 2009
Windsor Star – Trucker busted for smoking in his ‘workplace,’ October 6, 2009
Sun Media – Alta. truckers may also face fine for smoking in rig, October 9, 2009
Le Post – 22 € d’amende pour une cigarette au volant. Abus de pouvoir?, September 26, 2000
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October 14th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Intersting stuff
http://www.junkscience.com/news/wpetsver.html
some things from this article
A new study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has been hailed by the tobacco industry as proof that there is no risk from secondhand smoke, and that it may have even a protective effect against cancer. Many newspapers overseas, including the Times of London, have reported on the study, which is still undergoing peer review and has not been published officially. The industry has accused the study’s sponsors, the World Health Organization (WHO), of trying to bury the research.
when the truth comes out anti smoking zealots try to bury it.
its not about smoking at all its about people trying to make you stop doing what they thing you shouldn’t do.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:39 am
I guess a timmies would be out of the question as well . Not to mention a sandwich from a drive through. Time to close the drive through s altogether. Most professional drivers pretty much live in their trucks. I think we should tie up the courts in this country. Our rights and privileges are constantly being stripped away. Is this really the kind of country we want?
October 14th, 2009 at 8:46 am
The Native American lobby funded the original studies that found second hand smoke to be harmful and pushed for the antismoking laws in the US. Just by coincidence native american casinos are exempt from the antismoking bans. Follow the money.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:00 am
“The Native American lobby funded the original studies that found second hand smoke to be harmful and pushed for the antismoking laws in the US”
Gotta link to back that up? I find that hard to believe. Convince me…
October 14th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Smoking is NOT the big deal here. The big deal is about rights and freedoms, police nanny states, principle, and inept police who aren’t giving taxpayer’s a proper return on their investment.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I hate the smell of cigarette!
I hate it I hate it I hate it!
So smoke if you want but make sure I don’t smell it or else!
October 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
If a smell evokes such hate, then one must wonder about the programming you received.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Well, there go the radios and CD players out of our vehicles. Gotta take my eyes off the road to change channels/CDs!
October 14th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
The Great Country of Canada!
The American and British whipping boy, and absolute Police State!
This story should be enough for people to get up in arms about their government, but where are they? Enjoying their overtaxed TV and working all hours to make enough to escape Canada’s tax SCAM!
It comes down to this guys and gals: We pay taxes to our government for protection and to take care of the annoying admistration of our Democracy (demo=people; cracy=power == People Power). But instead, our government is taking our tax dollars, running OUR country the way they (or the British Monarchy) see’s fit, making us ask for permission for everything, yet making decisions without us. And then they slap us further in the face by using those tax dollars for protection to infringe on our rights in every aspect of our lives.
It’s this simple: I PAY YOU! If you don’t stop harassing me and my Countrymen on MY LAND, not only am I going to stop paying you taxes, I am going to outright take this country back!
I will smoke in my vehicle if I want to. I will smoke in my vehicle if all my passengers are in agreement. But I know better than to smoke with a child in the car… So leave me the f*ck alone! Any attempts to affect my freedoms in this free democracy against myself, a natural Canadian Citizen, will be taken as an act of aggression by an organization acting against the charter of rights and freedoms.
Peace!
October 14th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Yes it stinks! Yes it is bothersome. Yes I smoke. Yes, let’s take everything from our vehicles. Radios, i-pods, drink, food, stereos, make-up kits, and children…they can be distracting at times. For that matter…
October 14th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Gotta link to back that up? I find that hard to believe. Convince me…
ok, as soon as you provide a link to one death 100 percent attributable to second hand smoke and nothing else deal ? no list of stats. a real confirmed case with no other potential cause.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
That badge… interesting! Paul McCartney wore it on his Sgt. Pepper band uniform, but in photos it appeared to say “O.P.D.”…
…which pundits at the time said stood for “Officially Pronounced Dead”.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Tobacco company tried to cover up smoking risks: Report
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Tobacco+company+tried+cover+smoking+risks+Report/2102888/story.html
Lets not pretend smoking doesn’t kill or harm (or the organics and inorganics used in it to make the nicotine delivery to the brain as fast as possible, which is more toxic than tobacco itself).
However, this is not the issue of the last two stories, so we can all leave the kitten and baby killing out of the comments since it adds no value to this trucker being stopped and fined for smoking in his own truck which is fed regulated. BTW: they went to the Minister with this (ie prov vs fed laws) and the minister refused to comment.
Next they will stop you from eating a twinkie if you drive beacuse it’s a distraction and an artery clogger (which is the #1 killer in Canada). This outlawed?
October 14th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
funny how the opp fined the truck driver. truck drivers are usually the first to come to the aid of a police officer when they are in a bind on the side of the road or when they are pursuing someone.
the officer should be fired just because of this fact.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Don’t ever tell me not to smoke in my home, on my property or in my vehicle; those are mine. Before you tell me not to smoke outdoors, take a good hard look at the emissions from the oil and gas facilities, as well as all other industry emissions, all the way down to your vehicle exhaust; when you have stopped those (which you will never be able to do), then try and take away my freedom. Yes, the time for Canadians to fight for their rights, all their rights is near, very near.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
JAKOMO, if you work at home then it is against the law. Maybe someone will call the cops on you?
October 14th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
If the truckers got together and threatened to not bring the goods to and from ontario i bet that rule would be changed dam quick.
this trucker should demand his money back and an apology from the idiots who thought this one up.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
a nice and slow convoy blocking the roads there and some trucks with defective brakes on the highways that can’t roll will do
October 14th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
http://www.ohscanada.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?aid=1000343878
Neil MacKenzie, the manager of tobacco programs for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said even a farmer’s enclosed tractor would be considered a work environment.
“Whether or not you have the sunroof open or windows down … it’s an enclosed workplace and you’re prohibited from smoking in that vehicle,” MacKenzie told Windsor radio station CKLW.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Lets not pretend smoking doesn’t kill or harm (or the organics and inorganics used in it to make the nicotine delivery to the brain as fast as possible, which is more toxic than tobacco itself).
let’s also not pretend thats what this is all about either. thats why wipo lied too. It’s about second hand smoke.second hand smoke which has proven to be harmless and wipo tried to suppress it. it’s about people that make up hazards to fear to stop others from doing something they don’t like. it’s about the fact that someone doesn’t like a stinky smell so makes up a bunch of lies to force poeple to conform to their standards. second hand smoke hamr has been proven to be a myth and wipo tried to hide it since liberty restricting laws are based on this lie. nice sidestep tho
October 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
No, Jon, smoking is not the “big deal” here, FREEDOM is! It’s all about freedom from micro-management of the nanny-state do gooders. Smoking is merely a rung on the ladder when it comes to those who will bring tyranny for ‘the greater good’.
BTW, Neil MacKenzie is clearly not grasping our rich Canadian heritage of individual liberty over collectivist interests. That’s OK. He’s not a politician, just a low-level bureaucrat on a power-trip. These are the same types of people that would like to regulate many other facets of your life for ‘your own good’, such as what you eat, alcohol consumption, what TV you watch, what you say, what political opinions you keep, and so on…. it never ends. Could you picture the absurdity of this finger-wagging ninny running across a corn-field to a farmer operating a big combine?
October 14th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
@ RW:
“No, Jon, smoking is not the “big deal” here”
That’s almost a side-issue. It’s mainly about big corporations still being allowed to sell highly addictive and, utlimately, lethal ‘product’.
Cheers!
October 14th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Alcohol any different?
Does it affect other besides the one takng it?
Does it impair driving?
Does it cause medical costs to go up for everyone?
etc etc etc
Now lets look at high salt and high fat and high sugar products. Rinse & repeat.
Who here is going to slay the pillsbury doughboy? (poke in belly button: Teeheehee)
:/
October 14th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
For all that are stating that it is about the freedom and using your own tax dollars to provoke, humiliate, taunt, and just show pure stupity.
I’m all for ya. I am not a smoker and I hate it with a passion, but like stated it has nothing to do with that.
I hate the way this country ties up the courts with such stupidity and rapist,child molester, murders, thieves from big corporate fraud to tax scam artists have back room deals made with thieving lawyers.
Then there is this hard working trucker trying to scratch out a living when this overpaid pom pas, over pensioned civil servant parasite lays a charge of $300 to his already overtaxed fuel, income, and even the very cigarette he was smoking in his own f’en truck.
Give me a break only in Ontario home of Bob Rae and all those other idiots the run the province.
Wish those parasites would go out and get a real job in the private sector.
There should be a tax revolt in this country and make these idiots accountable
That’s it I’m done
October 15th, 2009 at 12:12 am
So, the cigarette is bad for him but all of the toxic chemicals that are flowing from the engine and into the air/vents, cabin are good as mom’s apple pie? I suppose the people breathing the exhaust of every car in front of them are breathing pristine air.
Are cigarettes bad? Yes, no doubt about it – but if you live in a major city Cigarette smoke is the least of your worries toxic air wise.
“That’s almost a side-issue. It’s mainly about big corporations still being allowed to sell highly addictive and, utlimately, lethal ‘product’.”
So is Alcohol – what is your point?
October 15th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Coulter is quoted as stating, “butting out while driving also eliminates one more distraction, says the story, adding she compared it to, “talking on the phone and driving, which has recently been outlawed”.
“They deemed that to be a distraction,” says Coulter. “So lighting a cigarette, to me, is a no-brainer.
Is this Police spokeswoman an idiot? Talking on the phone while driving has indeed been outLAWED by those who are elected by the people of the nation to draft, enact and bring into force law.
So far there is no law on any book or any study to craft a law that states that cigarette smoking in a car causes accidents or exaggerated distraction from the road.
THE POLICE DO NOT MAKE OR DECIDE LAW they are only there to enforce LAW which has been duly passed by the elected representatives of the people.
This man should contest the ticket – he will win because there is no law against smoking for that reason and a truck cabin does not constitute a workplace in which more than two people carry on business as per the very law she is trying to use as an excuse for abusing her authority.
I won’t say abusing her power because the police have no power to create law on a whim of opinion in the first place.
October 15th, 2009 at 12:22 am
“That’s almost a side-issue. It’s mainly about big corporations still being allowed to sell highly addictive and, utlimately, lethal ‘product’.”
Jon, that’s a nice red herring you’ve got there, but your line of thinking is obvious. You’re anti-smoking, so instead of coming right out and lobbying for it to be banned (A SIDE ISSUE), you’re supporting using petty nanny-state tactics as an alternate method to get the same thing done via harassment and intimidation by the police. Is this the way you want society to function?
Your anti-smoking hysteria has blinded you to the core issues around this incident. Your readers get it, why don’t you?
October 15th, 2009 at 2:25 am
I heard on the news that the RCMP solve only 1 out of 10 serious crimes, I’ll bet that also applies to city cops. I guess they are too busy doing the easy stuff like like sitting in ‘our’ cars and giving unwarranted tickets to honest hard working people. They could be doing what they are paid for – solve crime.
I thought we lived in one country, but it seem like we live in a bunch of small satellite countries: I just came back from Quebec where I bought two cartons of cigarettes for $45 each, in Alberta we pay $81 for the cheap brand.
In one province you break the law for one thing, in another it is legal.
I am sick and tired of people who have obviously never lived in the real world, and the little shysters who get elected, somehow, and then ‘run’ us as dictators would; that is not representation, that is not what we hired them for. We pay them, but that’s not enough so they tax us as they please and the money disappears – I think that is how the American revolution started, NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION – let’s face it, we do not have representation…
That my friends has everything to do with anti-smoking laws and the excuse for raising taxes on cigarettes, your freedom of choice has been removed, the government gets most of the money from the sale of tobacco. Next they will be (are) targetting obese people. Now they want to ‘privatize’ health care, in Alberta anyway. Who is next, or what rights will be removed tomorrow – it will not end until the people make it end.
October 15th, 2009 at 7:14 am
@ RW: “Jon, that’s a nice red herring ”
I’m an ex-smoker whose sympathies are with smokers.
Cheers!
October 17th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
# Jon Says:
October 14th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
@ RW:
“No, Jon, smoking is not the “big deal” here”
That’s almost a side-issue. It’s mainly about big corporations still being allowed to sell highly addictive and, utlimately, lethal ‘product’.
Cheers!
Would that include alcohol too? As I hear no one moaning and bitching about that….and it is so much worse!!