I appreciate the effort Democratic Rep. Pat Blanchette is putting forth in her bill to curb smoking in vehicles when minors are present. I do not approve of the Republican takeover shenanigans and the watering down of her bill, reducing its effectiveness.

Years ago, the courts decided subjecting children to tobacco smoke is child abuse, and subjecting prisoners to that kind of abuse in jail cells is cruel and unusual punishment. This makes it clear that all nonsmokers should be protected in cars, or any other confined area.

Those shortsighted representatives who have been voting against these proposals are in arrogant defiance of legal precedent, and the efforts of the nonsmokers’ rights and health movement.

Ray Perkins Jr.

Waldoboro