Should smokers be prevented from fostering children?

[sp1814]

Another case of the nanny state, or a sensible step to protect kids from passive smoking?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/77212 20.stm

[Bbbananas]

Well you can't enforce it can you?
I supose you just have to assume (and trust) that if people are responsible & caring enough to take on a fostering role, ergo they should be responsible & sensible enough not to smoke in the presence of children.

Social services can always get the foster kids to snitch on them..... ;-)

[Ethel]

That wouldn't work, bednobs - first interview and they'd be sussed.

Smokers stink and you can smell them as soon as they walk in the room

[smudge]

I instinctively posted 'yes' - but if foster parents, etc., 'only ever' smoke outside, then I can't see what long term damage that could do to a child...?

One of our daughter's smokes, but neither of her children ages 19 & 17 have any inclination to do so - can't think why.....

[LoftyLottie]

That's just it - they can't have regulations that rely on trust! (or snitching).

Anyway, as Ethel says, there is no problem really because prospective foster carers can always give it up if they want to foster. If they are not prepared to do so well they can't want to foster very badly and wouldn't make good foster parents anyway.

[LoftyLottie]

So gay carers damage children's health then?

[Nosha123]

It is proven that children brought up by smokers are more likely to smoke themselves.. so from that point of view I would say a resounding NO.... even though I used to smoke myself!

What about the obese parents bringing up obese children!!!

[Ethel]

So is the revenue raised from speeding motorists - doesn't mean I have to support it, doc

[smudge]

BTW - she is & has always has been a fantastic parent to her children - doesn't make them 'all' bad ones!

[LoftyLottie]

I am not saying parents or foster carers are bad carers if they smoke - but the authorities have a great responsibility in placing children and it is better to state 'non smokers' than having a rule that states it's OK to smoke away from children - it is clearer and needs less monitoring.

[smudge]

Nosha - as I said, our grandchildren don't smoke & they have no inclination to do so.

My Dad smoked, but half of my siblings don't either, including me.

[LoftyLottie]

Doc, no-one is castigating smokers at all. The issue is whether children should be placed in smoking households. Most people would agree that passive smoking is bad for children (and adults too).

What people do in their own homes is just fine.

Smoke away - but where you can't damage the health or wellbeing of others.

[smudge]

Can anyone guarantee that being placed with non-smoking foster parents, mean that they will be safe?

I know of two grown men (unfortunately relations of mine) who are non-smokes & I certainly would not trust either of them with my children or grandchildren....say no more!

[weeal]

I am a smoker, and I wouldnt smoke around children, I dont even smoke in my property !!

As Doc says tho, smokers get penalised at every turn.

I am not much of a drinker but basically someone who doesnt smoke but drinks alcohol like a fish would be able to foster children??? I think thats far worse.

[LoftyLottie]

Of course no one can guarantee the safety of any child with any parents or carers. However, as many steps as possible have to be taken to minimise the risk when dealing with placing children with families. Nothing is 100% - that doesn't mean that we don't have rules.

[youngmafbog]

I believe an alcohilic would be banned from fostering.

[LoftyLottie]

Hopefully!