EDITORIAL BANNING INSANITY PROPOSED BAN ON SMOKING IN CAR GOES TOO FAR.

IN the quest to clear the air, smoking tobacco has been banned in virtually all public spots in Los Angeles. Even most beaches and parks are butt-free zones.

But now state lawmakers are considering legislation that goes too far by banning smoking in the privacy of one's own car if there's a young child present.

Certainly no one's advocating that people light up and blow smoke in the face of a toddler, but it is troubling that the government is creeping onto private property.

What's next? Banning french fries, since studies show they may be carcinogenic?

If lawmakers wanted to truly remove the dangers on the roads for kids, then they would make it a crime for kids to scarf Happy Meals in the car. Obesity is now recognized as a bigger future public health threat than smoking.

Then lawmakers would have to figure out how to get rid of the particulate pollution that commuters breathe in by the lungful, which researchers now say is a serious health threat.

Finally, they have to force people to take a Driving Defensively Against Cell Phone Users class.

Much as it would be nice, we can't legislate out all the hazards in the world. And when a well-meaning law goes this far to invade privacy, it puts us all in danger.