Smoking Around Children
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): Smoking Around Children
I was driving home today and was stopped at a light. I saw a women and she had two small boys in the car, I would say both under 5 years old. She was smoking, as I looked on she rolled down the window a little bit. I so wanted to say something, but I'm sure it would have made no difference.
With all the information out there today about the effects of smoking and second hand smoke how could anyone in their right mind smoke in a car with their children?
I think that if you want to kill yourself or pollute your own body then go ahead, but why do people have to subject their children to this?
When I was young my parents smoked around me all the time, at home and in the car, I ended up smoking for 15 years and I believe a lot of it had to do with my parents smoking. I know that it was my choice to start and I was influenced by my peer group a lot, however, my mother used to buy my cigrattes for me. How sick is that?
Needless today, I don't smoke and even if I did I would never consider smoking around anyone's children. That's it, that's the end of my rant!
I hate cigarette smoke. I grew up in it, I smelled like it and it totally disgusted me. The only good it ever did for me was encourage me NOT to smoke since my parents and grandparents were all chain smokers.
I hate, hate, hate when people smoke around children. It is at the top of disrespectful things to do to a child who has no say. I dont care if people smoke in their houses, in their cars or whatever but I honestly dont think children should suffer because of anothers addictive habit. (Just a side note: pet have shown "smokers lungs" in xrays when performed after living with a smoker most of their lives so its not fair to anything or anyone to be around a smoker). I could go on and on but most of the replies you will get will have to do with the fact of invading a persons privacy and such. But I think when that persons is posing a health risk to another, invade away!!! 
Kaitlyn doesn't go to my Dads house very often because there are 4 smokers in there. The walls are yellow from the smoke. After being in there for 30 minutes and leaving, we all smell smoke on our clothes and hair. When I do go over, nobody is allowed to smoke while DD is there. That was my only option to bringing her there. It doesnt help with the smoke already there but it eliminates a lot of the "gag" feeling you get after sitting around a bunch of smokers with fresh smoke blowing in your face.
It's just an all around repulsive thing to do and to bring it around others is even worse. Sorry if I sound blunt this is coming from me: The child you saw stuck in the car with the windows up, the child living in a house of 3 smokers, and the child accused of smoking at school because she always smelled like an ashtray. Oh, and also the child who dropped out of track junior year of high school because of breathing difficulties, later determined to be early signs of asthma. A year after moving out on my own, my lungs felt better and I suddenly didnt fell so short of breath all the time.
You know, I honestly think other people have no right to judge. I think it's disgusting when I see fat kids stuffing candy in their mouths and playing video games all day, but who am I to tell another parent what to do? I've smoked in my car with my window down and blowing the smoke out the window, I dare anyone to come up to me and say something. It's not their business, I'm sure they do a couple things *I'd* disapprove of. I don't smoke in my house, I very rarely smoke within breathing distance of my kids, and I certainly don't smoke near other people children. I know of women who smoked during their entire pregnancy (guess what... I'm sure you know some too, though you would probably never know it, because they are embarassed of it), and I'll admit it took me a couple months to give up cigarettes completely. I smoked 1 a day for the first few months of my pregnancy, I admitted this to my docs, I still carried full term healthy twins. I'm not saying it's right to do any of these things, I just think moms need to stop judging each other, lest they be judged.
I hate cigarettes and cigarette smoke. I have a very good friend who smoked her entire pregnancy and it was so hard for me to keep my mouth shut!! She just said she couldn't stop, which is bull in my book. Beside that point, I don't think smoking should be allowed in enclosed public places anywhere. Unfortunately my state (IN) has not passed this law, but other states have and I envy them! I agree that if someone wants to put themselves in the grave with cigarettes, go for it, but second-hand smoke is dangerous to all of us who DON'T smoke and it makes for an unleasant environment as well. I appreciate smokers who do not smoke in their homes - my in-laws only smoke outside and their home is wonderful. My parents on the other hand smoke like chimneys inside and we can't stand to be there for more than an hour. The place is just saturated. Whether someone is a mom or not, smoking should not affect others, period.
I think if people want to smoke around their kids that's their business. Not mine and not the morality police.
Ditto Crystal, i have a friend who smokes in her kitchen with open windows but would never, never dream of giving her children processed food, she cooks everything fresh and from scratch. So i agree what you said, we all do things to our children that other people would dissaprove of. Don't we all?
I agree with Crystal...however...I do wish more smokers would be aware of their surroundings. There are lots of places you can smoke and not be right in front of kids. Last night we went to eat at a wings place, this is half a restruant and half a bar (Buffalo wild wings). Separating the two is a high seating bar that seats six. Techincally one half is in the smoking section, the other half in the nonsmoking section. There is even a plaque affixed to it that says no smoking. Well last night the restruant portion was packed. So we were seated two tables away from this bar, between us and the bar was a table that also had 3 kids (very young ones). This lady came in and sat at the bar on our side and lit up. Holding her cig behind her and literally I watched the smoke floating over these kids heads, it smelled so bad. Now this was early so the bar part was 1/2 empty. On a full night you take the seat you can get and heck it is a bar. We also make it a point to sit on the other side of the room when there is space, we both do our share. But for some reason she didn't. My hubby did say soemthing to the manager. His phrase was "do you mind pointing out the no smoking sign she is sitting next to" (her hand was literally resting on the sign). He got a dirty look from the manager, but she did eventually go and say something to her. They moved, no big deal, much nicer for us. When you go out in public there is no telling what you are exposed to, I wish people were all considerate, but they aren't. This isn't limited to smoking not in my face, but how about not cussing around my kids, or dressing so my 3rd grade son doesn't notice your boobs. But I also try to do my part and not be judgemental (hubby could have been nicer last night though). My dd is in DARE this year and she did rather loudly say to me (it is a loud place), did you know that breating in smoke is more harmful than actually smoking the cigarettes yourself? Ah kids.
Where we live we have strong anti-smoking laws which I am thankful for. You cannot smoke in a public place and this includes all resturants and most bars.
Second hand smoke is harmful. The chemicals from ONE cigarette stays in the air in your home for up to 7 days. I'll say it again, ONE cigarette. Moderate smokers smoke perhaps 10 cigarettes per day. Heavy smokers, smoke 20 or more. I'm sorry if people feel unfairly judged, however, I will not intentally put my child in harms way and smoking around them is putting their health in danger. I agree that no one is perfect, and we all do things that people might disapprove of but I just don't get the smoking thing I'm sorry I don't understand why people can't take it outside. We all know it's harmful so why not take appropriate precautions?
It is illegal to drive in a car without having your child properly restrainted. It took a long time and a lot of unfortunate accidents to make people realize that it is important to keep our children safe when driving in cars, I'm sure no one intented for their children to be hurt. Do you judge another mother when you see her driving in her car and her children don't have seat belts on? Aren't you thinking "What if she got into an accident?"
I hope that some day we will have laws in effect to help protect children from second hand smoke. Parents who smoke have children who smoke, I don't wish that on anyone. Quitting was one of the most difficult things I ever did in my life and I'm so thankful that I won't pass the legancy of smoking onto my kids.
I agree 100% with Crystal, it is absolutely none of your business. If we pick apart each others lives I can promise you there are many things that you choose to do that someone else will certainly take offense to.
And BREATHING kills........ In Columbus, in the middle of winter we had a bad air warning. They were to limit their time outside because of the levels of toxins. It was bellow freezing out. All those companies that let of toxins are killing us too. All those boats that put out pollution. All the chemicals they put on our foods. All those false additives that they add to our junk food.
Saturated fat is the #1 cause of heart disease, how many of you take your kids to McDonalds as a reward? Wouldn't you be horrified it it was outlawed to feed you kids junk food cause it most definitely has been proven bad for you. Diabeties is at an all time epidemic rate for children. I think it's horrible for any parent to feed their children ice cream, pizza, pasta, mac and cheese.
with that said, wouldn't it be horrible if i came into your home and told you that? do you hope we have laws preventing parents from feeding their children cr@appy foods?
I don't smoke, but don't tell me what I can do in my home or in my car.
The bottom line for me is that it's dangerous, to the smoker and everyone around him/her. I don't think we should be putting anyone else in danger. I agree with one of the above posts - would you put your child in the car without a seatbelt or car seat? Would you let them walk in the street or go with a stranger? If you want to go without your seat belt, go for it, but othe people shouldn't be exposed to potentially harmful decisions, especially your child.
One can't personally control polluted air in their city caused by factories and environmental hazards, but one can control the smoke you might exhale in someone else's face, car, home, or public place.
But what I choose to do in my parenting is none of anyone else's business. That's my bottom line. You have no right to tell ANYONE how to parent, regardless of their actions. I never smoke around anyone else's child, I don't smoke in restaurants, I don't smoke by non-smokers. We all need to stop being judgemental, we all do it and it's wrong, because I'm sure every single mom does something another disagrees with.
Parenting and health hazards are two different things though.
But where do we draw the line at health hazards?
When CPS knocks on my door and tells me I can't smoke in my car then we'll talk.
I don't like smoking but it isn't against the law to smoke in front of your kids so that is it, I suppose.
I'm sure some people would have it turned into "child abuse". Ok, in the case of the child with asthma or allergies and the non-custodial parent smokes in the house in front of that child, man that's wrong! BUT, not MY business.
Do you let you kids talk on your cell phone knowing that the waves transmitted could cause cancer? There is still literature enclosed with your cell phones about this. Do you talk on the cell phone while you are driving? Do you kids watch programs or video games that could cause epeleptic seisures? Do you drink coffee in front of your kids and encourage them to do it when they are older? Some people think coffee is really bad for you. What about alcohol? If you drink a glass of wine a day, what are you teaching your child and exposing them to? Should women be limited to what they eat and drink when breastfeeding or pregnant because of the "risks"? On and on and on. There are dnagers you put your kids in that you probably don't even realize. Do you want someone in YOUR business making your decisions for you? Because the more power we give to the government the worse it is going to get. ANd once you give your power away to control someone like that woman from smoking in front of her kids, you can be sure that at some point you will be controlled also.
There will always be some idiots that don't care. However, maybe that woman normally doesn't smoke in front of her kids in the car. If you came up to me and said something you would likely not get a very nice response.
I think you have every right to be upset and irritated for the child's sake. I don't think you have the right to intervene or try and control another adults actions. Rather than ranting at someone who will likely ignore you anyway, why not put your energy into helping get more literature/info to people about the dangers and risks in a non-confrontational way?
BTW, before you ask, BTDT on both sides. I was that kid too, and I have also been the parent who smokes, but not in front of the kids BUT HAVE done it ocassionally in the car with windowa down.
Kim, I think you're right when you said I have every right to be upset and irritated for the childs sake. It really isnt *my* business what parents do which is why in real life I turn my head at those sights but I was simply pointing out my views here since it was asked. There *are* a lot of risks in this world and a parent has to decide which ones to eliminate to make the environment more safe. It just seems like smoking would be the no brainer, but i'm a non smoker so its easy for me to say.
Just for the record I did not confront this women. I did not rant or say a thing to her. I know that saying something to someone would not have done any good. I came here to express my opinion. I only hope that if there are moms out there reading this who a times feel a bit bad about smoking around there kids will stop. Smoke away, just take it outside.
This is a debating board where people come to express opinions on topics of a controversial manner. I have just as much right to my opinion as anyone else does.
Also, I do not force my child to drink coffee, nor do I force him to drink alcohol. When you smoke around your children you force them to enhale toxic chemicals, they are smoking right along with you.
I think a lot of people have made assumptions and have really gotten off topic. I don't drink coffee or alcohol while pregnant or nursing and no I don't talk on a cell phone while driving a car - it's dangerous. As for going to MacDonald's, we don't, however, trans fats in moderation, meaning once in a blue moon, won't kill you. Sure if you stuff yourself everyday it probably will. If you smoke one cigarette around your child once a month that probably won't do any harm either. How many smokers out there smoke one cigarette a month?
My point is, EVERYONE knows that smoking is harmful, why would you intentionally put your children in harms way? Forget the gouvernment, what about just not doing for the sake of your kids?
Heaventree - as far as I;m concerned you hit the nail on the head. I agree with everything you said.
This is coming from someone who smoked for over 30 years, including during pregnancy and while my kids were young. "Guilty as charged!!"
Do I want Uncle Sam telling me that I can't smoke, must wear my seat belt or motorcycle helmet? No.
Do I think that parents today have enough information to realize the dangers that they could be exposing their children to? Yes.
Do I think I have the right to enforce my beliefs on anyone? No
Would I smoke around my kids or while pregnant, knowing what I now know? NEVER.
I watched my mother bleed to death from a ruptured esophagus due to her lung cancer treatments. It takes some folks a little longer to figure it out. I know I was 42 when I decided to REALLY QUIT.
Good points Heaventree.
Honestly to answer the question, "why would you intentionally put your children in harms way?", it is because we all have those lazy moments where parenting is hard and sometimes we just want to do what we want to do, when we want to do it. Smoking causes cancer, yes, not all the time, not in every case, but it does. However again there are lots of things that cause a LOT of harm, we know them, we do them anyway, why? because parenting is hard work and sometimes we are just tired of it. How many times on this board alone have we heard, I don't have my 6-7 year old in a booster seat, why not? It certainly is in their best interest. For those of you who are not smokers (btw I am not, although I did smoke for 2 years in college). What you seem to missing is this is an addiction, it is hard to control, it is a hard mental and physical habit to break. If you want just some clue as to how hard it is I suggest you try this. Take a 7 day period where you go entirely electronic free, no tv, no computer, no radio. The difference in your kids will be amazing. I used to teach and we had a big push in what was called "turn off your tv week" it takes about 3 days, but when they get all that junk out of their system it is just absolutly uncanning how it changes them! I do this twice a year with my kids. But it is hard work, we think about it all the time, we miss it, we are comfortable with it. We don't watch much tv, my kids only watch ah hour a day during the week. I know this makes a huge difference, I know it makes them better students, better helpers, less impulsive, less argumentative, etc. Why do we even own a tv, well because I like it and it is easier for me, etc. But I encourage you to try this, and then in a week, go the whole week you will understand the mental difficulty of giving up smoking. It isn't just not doing it, it is oh well I watch this show (oh i smoke after i eat, etc), but then you add to that the physical issues of withdrawl. It is tough, it is hard. I ultimately think it is well worth it, but I also understand that it isn't a choice they make today to keep doing, but a BAD choice that was made way before they had kids.
Please quit taking my post personally if you have at all. I am DEBATING. That's what this is here for. Who said no one had a right to their opinion?
I didn't think you had confronted the woman HT. Just giving my view on if you had followed your urge.
I don't think I am off topic. Once again. my point is that if you let someone else draw the lines, pretty soon all the lines will be drawn for you.
Also, not smoking does not guarantee that your child will not smoke.
I almost forgot my other thingy....I am not saying by any means go be an activist and don't vent here. I am saying if you are so very passionate about it maybe put the energy towards some good instead of nowhere at all. That's what I do when I am really passionate about an issue. I try and think how I can be part of the answer. For some people, the only thing that will help them "get it" is watching a loved one die from the effects of smoking.
Kim,
Thanks for clarifing your point, I did think that you were accusing me of being confrontational and you are right, maybe I should get involved with the Heart and Stroke Association or the Lung Assiocaition. Something for me to consider and it would definetaly set a good example for my little one. Thanks again and good debating!
I have thought about this issue in particular before and thought that maybe people should be made to read or view something on the effects of smoking before they get their license or while they are waiting for it or before they get benefits or in the hospital or SOMETHING, but I dont really know how I would feel about being forced to watch/read anything. Smoking info is already in waiting rooms. The people that don't care aren't going to read it anyway.
I usually do not have a lot of time when I post and try to get to my point asap. I USED to be able to write out well thought out answers and have time to review it before I hit post. Life is no longer so casual! Sometimes I don't think I come across the right way, but that's ok.
Kim, as far as that goes, you cannot quit an addiction until you are ready. You really have to want to, and all of the information in the world cannot force you to want to. I know what smoking does. I'm not deaf and blind, I see it and hear it every day. Every doctor's appointment I've been to in the last the years the nurse asks "Do you smoke? Are you interested in a smoking cessation class?" Every. Time. I haven't set foot in a DMV since I was 19, but when I go to renew my license this year the last thing I want is more hassle. I know you weren't trying to say that's the answer, I'm just letting you know how I feel about people shoving anti-smoking information at me. Honestly, it makes me feel stupid, like I'm not intelligent enough to already know. I simply do not *want* to give up this vice right now. It's my vice, and I'm not ready to quit. Back to the original topic, it's just a matter of respect. We do each other more harm than anything by judging other parents. Our country is full of people who want to tell others how to live, and it's not right.
Ok, what I don't understand is someone on food stamps, who somehow manages to pay for a
2 pack-a-day habit, but can't afford to buy the asthma meds that she needs to make breathing easier. Also, if she has asthma, why is she smoking? I don't get it.
I tried smoking once when I was 13. It made me cough. I wasn't impressed and never did it again. Dh and I went to a restaurant on Saturday. They had good food, but we had to put up with smokers. Ugh. We probably won't go back. We had just discovered a little restaurant we did like, since it was smoke-free. They recently closed. 
So, you wonder why we end up at McDonald's? While food may not be the best, it's smoke-free. I don't like getting dressed for the day and then smelling like cigarettes. I'm so happy to have a smoke-free house and car.
Dawn, I'm confused, were you talking about someone you know? (The asthma) I don't think that's right, but if she's an adult and she decides to smoke instead of buy asthma meds, it's on her. Even though she is on FS, she has the choice between spending her cash on cigs and meds, she's stupid for buying cigs. I would never deprive myself or anyone else in my house meds or things they need to buy cigs. And for the restaurants, I'm sorry. It actually bothers me, even though I smoke, to see ppl smoking in restaurants. Bars is a different thing, but if there are not completely separated areas in the restaurants I don't think ppl should smoke. That's part of the reason this thread ruffled my feathers, because I try very hard to respect others when I smoke, I avoid crowded areas, stay away from non-smokers, etc. I rarely let my kids get exposed to ANY smoke, and would be upset if I was judged by a stranger.
Crystal, I agree. I thougt of those things as a smoker myself, wondering what would help ME quit! No, you won't quit until you are ready and no, I am saying you cannot force anyone to do anything. These are just my thoughts.
I "try" not to judge anyone. If I saw that Mom and someone brought up the subject of her smoking in front of kids I would probably say ...maybe she normally doesn't do it in front of the kids........
I am not being wishy washy on this subject, just being honest.
Yes, I was talking about someone I came into contact with, in the past week.
We ate lunch at Chili's today. The smoking tables are in the bar area. THey have big windows that separate the bar area from the non-smoking area. I could watch a lady smoke and not have to worry about breathing the smoke. It was nice.
I love living in CA with the non smoking rule... period! I havn't seen a "smoking/non-smoking" restaurant since I was a tiny little girl. I only remember them being around from watching Mrs. Doubtfire, lol! Anyways, off topic but I thought i'd share that. Put a little laughter into this post!
I would love it, if all of our restaurants were non-smoking! We definitely patronize the ones that are!
Dallas, TX has a no-smoking in public places law too. The restaurant owners and bingo hall owners say it's killing their businesses. Some people think it's causing Dallas to lose some convention business.
Personally, I like the law.
As Kim suggested, I thought I would be "proactive" and supply some factual information on Second Hand Smoke. This information is taken from a web-site entitled Pysicians for a Smoke-Free Canada. Although it quotes a lot of Canadian data, this information could be applied in other countries as well. I know that this is a long post, but my hope is that some of you will take the time to read this information.
Cigarette Smoke & Kids' Health
Second hand smoke is a major cause of children's illness -- yet 85% of adults who smoke and who live with a child do not ensure that the child is not exposed to the smoke from their cigarettes.
The impact of second-hand smoke on kids health
Second-hand smoke (which is sometimes called environmental tobacco smoke or ETS) contains toxic substances, over 40 of which cause cancer. Some of these substances are in stronger concentrations in second-hand smoke than they are in the smoke that goes directly into smokers’ lungs.
ETS is causally linked with a number of adverse health effects in children (under 18), including:
· lower respiratory tract infections (i.e. croup, bronchitis and pneumonia)
· increased fluid in the middle ear
· upper respiratory tract irritation
· reduced lung function
· additional episodes of asthma
· increased severity of asthmatic symptoms in children
· reduced oxygen flow to tissues, comparable to children with anemia, cyanotic heart disease or chronic lung disease †
ETS is also associated with:
· Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
· acute middle ear infections (otitis media)
· tonsillectomy
· meningococcal infections
· cancers and leukemias in childhood
· slower growth
· adverse neurobehavioural effects
· upper respiratory tract infections (colds and sore throats)
· unfavorable cholesterol levels and initiation of atherosclerosis (heart disease) †
A British study found that SIDS deaths could be reduced by two-thirds if parents did not smoke.***
A U.S. analysis** of over 100 reports on pædiatric diseases concluded that children’s exposure to tobacco smoke is responsible for up to:
· 13% of ear infection
(approximately 220,000 ear infections in Canadian children)*
· 26% of tympanostomy tube insertions
(approximately 16,500 in Canada)
· 24% of tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies
(approx. 2,100 Canadian operations)
· 13% of asthma cases
(approx. 52,200 cases in Canada)
· 16% of physician visits for cough
(approx. 200,000 visits in Canada)
· 20% of all lung infections in children under 5
(approx. 43,600 cases of bronchitis in Canada and 19,000 cases of pneumonia in Canada)
· 136-212 childhood deaths from lower respiratory infection
(approx. 13-20 in Canada)
· 148 childhood deaths from fires started by tobacco products
(approx. 15 in Canada)
· 1868-2708 SIDS deaths‡
(approx. 180-270 in Canada)
* the number of Canadian cases is extrapolated from U.S. estimates
† [Samet, JM. Synthesis: The Health Effects of Tobacco Smoke Exposure on Children. January 7, 1999]
‡[California EPA. Final Report: Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Sept. 1997]
** Joseph diFranza and Robert Lew, Morbidity and Mortality in Children Associated with the Use of Tobacco Products by Other People, Paediatrics, 1996, 97:560-568].
infancy. British Medical Journal, 1996: 313*** Peter Blair et al. Smoking and the sudden infant death syndrome: results from 1993-5 case-control study for confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in.
Adult knowledge about impact on kids' health
Canadians overwhelmingly believe that cigarette smoke is harmful to the non-smoker. Only 9% think there is no danger to the non-smoker.
Canadians are most likely to identify lung cancer and bronchitis and other respiratory problems as diseases associated with second-hand smoke. Smokers and those who live with smokers are less likely to acknowledge the health effects of smoking.
[Survey on Smoking in Canada, 1994-95, Cycle 2, Statistics Canada]
… but don’t know of the direct impact on children’s health …
Only 1 in 5 Canadians surveyed believed that second-hand smoke could cause ear infections. Even among those who know that second-hand smoke poses a danger, many mistakenly believe that children’s health is only harmed by smoking directly around them.
[Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Knowledge, Attitudes and Actions of Parents, Children and Child Care Providers, Health Canada, 1995].
Number of kids exposed to cigarette smoke in their homes
Almost half of all Canadian children under the age of 15, some 2.8 million children, are exposed to second-hand smoke on a regular basis.
[Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health on second reading debate of Bill C-24, June 6, 1996].
Four in 10 Canadian households include someone who regularly smokes in the home. Neither the presence of children nor their age affects whether or not homes are kept smoke-free.
A further 40% of Canadian homes have no regular smoker living there, but permit visitors to smoke in their home. Only 19% of Canadian homes are smoke-free.
[Survey on Smoking in Canada 1994-95, Cycle 2]
In smoker’s homes, an average of 18 cigarettes a day are smoked. In only 1 in 5 of these households are cigarettes not smoked directly in front of children.
Smokers are more likely to have mainly smokers in their social circle, and their children are more likely to be in contact with these smoking friends and relatives than are the children of non-smokers.
[An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Concerning Environmental Tobacco Smoke, 1995 – Ekos Research Associates]
Impact of mothers' smoking on the fetus
Maternal smoking can affect the fetus and the outcome of the pregnancy. Smoking deprives the fetus of needed oxygen and other nutrients. This may result in:
· deficits in intellectual ability and behavioral problems
· low birth weight or intra-uterine growth retardation
· spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)
· stillbirth
· reduced lung function in the baby
· complications in pregnancy
Exposure to someone else’s smoking can harm an expectant mother’s baby. Research into this area is still incomplete, and the full effects are still unknown. What we do know is that the best chance for a healthy baby and healthy mother is a pregnancy where both are not exposed to any tobacco smoke.
[Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) in Home Environments, Health Canada, 1996].
Why kids are especially vulnerable
Young children are especially vulnerable to second-hand smoke in the home because:
· they breathe more air relative to body weight (and for the same level of exposure will absorb more tobacco smoke toxins)
· they are less able to complain (either because they are too young, or because their complaints are ignored)
· their immune system is less protective
· they are less able to remove themselves from exposure
What's in second-hand smoke
Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, of which more than 40 are known to cause cancer.
These carcinogens include:
arsenic. nickel, chromium, cadmium, lead, polonium-210, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, benz(a)anthracene, benzo[b]fouoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, dibenzo[a,I]pyrene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, indeno [1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, 5-methylchrysene, quinoline, dibenz[a,h]acridine, dibenz[a,j]acridine, 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosoethylmethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-snitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N’-nitrosonornicotine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, N’-nitrosoanabasine, N-nitrosomorpholine, 2-toluidine, 2-naphthylamine, 4-aminobiphenyl, acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, benzene, acrylonitrile, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, 2-nitropropane, ethylcarbamate, hydrazine.
Even if smoking is restricted to a single room, the harmful constituents of cigarette smoke can be dispersed throughout the house. Many of these highly dangerous chemicals are in invisible gas form.
Setting an example
Many parents avoid doing things in front of their children which they don’t want the children to imitate – like swearing or jay-walking. If you smoke, it may be a good idea not to smoke in front of your children: children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to become regular smokers.
Support for bans on smoking around children
Canadians care about children, and want to protect them from harm. That’s why parents ensure their children wear seat-belts in the car, and why they listen carefully to public health warnings. For example, many parents were recently prompted to change their window coverings when it was learned that some imported blinds contained leaded plastics. (Tobacco smoke also contains significant amount of lead and other toxic chemicals).
But researchers have only recently established the seriousness of the harm caused to children by tobacco smoke. Many Canadian parents and caregivers are not yet aware of the variety of illnesses it causes. Some of them mistakenly think opening a window or smoking in another room will remove the risks.
Canadians spend 90% of their time indoors; when tobacco smoke is present, indoor air is highly polluted.
A large survey in 1995 showed that 60% of Ontarians thought that parents spending time with small children should not smoke at all inside the house, and another 33% said they should smoke only in another part of the house. Only 8% thought that these parents should feel free to smoke in front of their children.
But the same Ontarians think that families – not governments – should set the rules. Most did not support legislation to stop parents from smoking inside their homes when children are present (35.5% strongly or somewhat agreed; 63.5% strongly or somewhat disagreed). And they were divided on whether there should be laws against smoking inside cars when children are present (50.6% agreed; 48.4% disgreed).
[Ontario Alcohol and Other Drug Opinion Survey, 1995]
An overwhelming majority of child-care workers surveyed (91%) strongly agreed that "There should be regulations regarding smoking around children that all child-care providers should follow"
[Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Knowledge,
Attitudes and Actions of Parents, Children and Child Care Providers, Health Canada, 1995]
How smokers' beliefs differ from non-smokers'
A survey by University of Waterloo researchers showed that smokers were much less likely than non-smokers to believe that:
· second-hand smoke hurts non-smokers (77% to 93%)
· second-hand smoke caused lung cancer in non-smokers (54% to 79%)
And that they were much more likely to believe that:
· air pollution is a greater health risk to non-smokers than second-hand smoke (51% to 35%)
· people are too concerned about the effect of other people’s smoking (63% vs. 33%)
· evidence of the dangers of second-hand smoke is exaggerated (46% vs. 32%)
[Rickert WS, Walker R, Brown KS, Cameron R. Environmental tobacco smoke in the home: Attitudes, beliefs and actions of smokers and non-smokers.]
Thanks for the info Heaven, these are the reasons I quit when I became pregnant & do not allow smoking near my children. My son had massive reflux as a child & was at risk for RSV & I was told by his ped that even 3rd hand smoke, the smell left on your clothing, was also harmful to him.
I have an aunt who has been told her smoking is harming her son & she refuses to stop smoking near her children...that is knowingly putting your child at risk.
Congratulations Emily on taking your children's best interest into account and setting a good example. I had reflux during my first pregnany and I can see how being around someone who smoked would make it worse.
I totally agree with you about your aunt and I'm sorry to hear that she is being this way. Children don't have a voice so as parents we must always try to be aware of what is best for them, hopefully one day she will come around.
My husband has asthma, that rarely bothers him these days, but I think it was worse when he was a kid. Even when he was having trouble breathing, his dad wouldn't put out his pipe. It turned DH into a very strong non-smoker (and made him the perfect spouse for me! LOL!) I don't understand, why the pipe was more important than your son's ability to breathe. Fortunately, sometime after our kids were born, Grandpa quit smoking. It was a GOOD thing.
Though I do agree that everyone has the right to raise their children as they see fit, I think that it's incredibly irresponsible for parents to smoke around their children. It shows how low a persons will-power really is when push comes to shove.
I dislike seeing parents that smoke with their kids in the car. But, what can really be done about it? Not much. Maybe when the kids grow up and develop lung cancer from breathing in all that smoke, it will make the parents realize that it was probably a really bad idea to smoke around their kids.
ugh, my dad smoked a pipe for a little while, when I was growing up. He did smoke in the car, even when we couldn't put windows down. Us kids hated it. He stopped sometime before I was all grown up, though. I can't remember exactly when.
I don't smoke, yes, I tried it when I was a teenager but thankfully I never got hooked. I know there are plenty of you on here that do smoke and I totally disagree with what you are doing.
I personally would have NO PROBLEM if smoking was illegal.
Have you seen the commercial on TV where people look like they are smoking but in place of the smoke there are bubbles floating everywhere? That just shows that you may think you are blowing you smoke out the window or up in the air but guess who it's hitting? Your children, my children and me!
I get so angry when I am driving down the road and someone two or more cars ahead of me is smoking and the smoke is coming in my car. Why should I have to roll up my window, just so that person can "enjoy" a cigarette? I don't want my kids breathing in that smoke, I would think a smoker with children would feel the same way.
I think if you are a parent smoking is just wrong. You may think you are doing your best to keep it away from your children but I would be willing to bet that there lungs are not pink and healthy like they should be, because of your cigarette smoke.
Andi, I completely agree with everything you said. Very well put.
That was extremely well said Andi.
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