Well, OK, so there's a loophole that creates an absurd situation in very rare instances. Such is life. I suppose somebody could go to great lengths to pass a law to prevent such absurdity, but maybe it's better to accept a bit of absurdity in our legislation.

As long as vegetable matter burns, kids are going to try smoking. I don't think that's horrible. If cigarettes are readily available to them, kids are going to get addicted to smoking - and that's a bad thing.

And even if they don't smoke, it's bad for kids to be in a closed environment that's full of smoke, so I think it's wise to pass a law prohibiting smoking in a car with kids present. Presumably, adult passengers can complain and get the smoker to refrain, but the kid aren't as likely to.

I tried to give up smoking for 20 years, with constant relapses. I finally succeeded when I was no longer in an environment where there were people smoking all around me. So, I'm glad that legislation has restricted smoking. But still, I bum a cigarette about once a year. It tastes so good when I'm drinking with friends.

I suppose an absolutist or a legalist would have trouble with the conflicts and inconsistencies caused by the various laws in Ontario (or wherever). But hey, is life consistent?

-Joe-