Vermont implemented some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the US. As of July 2014, it banned smoking in cars carrying children under 8 and in hotel rooms. It aimed to encourage smokers to quit and protect others from secondhand smoke. While intended to improve health, some argued it infringed on individual freedom. It remains unclear if the law will be expanded to protect older children.

1. Vermont's latest Smoking
Policy
Shyanne Thompson
July 28th, 2014
Policy Research Presentation

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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!

5. Why smoking is dangerous
Tobacco is the No. 1 Killer
It complicates asthma, heart
disease, stroke, early,
unexpected sudden infant death
and low birth weight in babies.

6. 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.

7. This is why cig. Are so dangerous

8. Other States with the same Vision
Rebecca 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 2008
Now Vermont in 2014 but its only for kids 8 and
under
. Why eight and under? What about all the other
kids?

9. 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

10. 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”

11. Can you tell how old she is?

12. Can you tell how old this boy is?

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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/)

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