Smoking near children

[DavidUK]

Why do some parents continue to smoke near their children when there is so much evidence that passive smoking is highly damaging to children?

[andy hughes]

Unfortunately, the people at whom the information is aimed - smokers with children - are the people who ignore the facts, or think that the information does not apply to them. Sad, but true. Let's face it, anyone who can smoke given the overwhelming health risks, to say nothing of what is an increasinly antisocial habit, are not people who reckon they should moderate their behavooir for anyone, even their own families.

[tracymort]

Don't get me started on this one! I amazed by this too! Don't people know about the risks of smoking and SIDS? I used to work in a pub and people brought in babies and smoked all over them, it was horrible. My mum smokes and if i ever visit her i ring her the night b4 so she doesn't smoke indoors before i come round. I know it's hard to give up but if they insist on smoking whats wrong with doing it when the children are asleep/at school and outside? I've even seen women in labour smoke! poor babies!

[Randy]

Smokers are anti-social by definition. They don't care about anyone else, they don't see their smoke as being offensive let alone causing others damage. They feel their 'right' to smoke is paramount. Kids, their own or others, other people, they don't care. Its just self self self.

[DavidUK]

Looks like Andy Hughes is right - judging by the lack of response from smokers. They can't justify it so they ignore it and turn a blind eye to the potential damage to their children.

[Janetx]

I am a parent, I smoke around children. I am not perfect, but I am a better parent than anyone I have ever met.

[DavidUK]

Janetx: I am happy to accept that, in all other ways, you are a good parent but I genuinely do not understand why you would do something that is quite likely to damage the health of the children that you smoke around.

[Moog]

I would dispute that smokers are antisocial, but that those people who smoke infront of children are in fact generally ignorant and antisocial generally. I smoke, but take great care where and around whom I smoke. I even go as far as not taking smoking breaks at work so as to not antagonise my non smoking colleagues (though I heard a good argument the other day that suggested that my addiction is a disease and work should allow me breaks!) About the only place I smoke in public is in the pub (it is one of the most vulgar sights seeing people walking down the street with a fag in mouth, apart from the nuisance of fag ends everywhere) and even there take great care to ensure that those around me are not discomforted by my exhalations (though frankly if you're in the pub you should pretty much expect smokers) so I take exception to what seems to be the notion that I am an antisocial person just because I smoke. Why, you may ask do I smoke? Because I enjoy it, simple as that! Smoking appears to of become less socially acceptable over the years, but I'm sure many of you take part in anti social behaviour of one kind of another, many of which are more dangerous than smoking, drinking being one of them and driving too fast being my pet hate! Ok rant over I'm off for a fag!

[DavidUK]

You sound like a very considerate and responsible person, Moog. Both of my parents were heavy smokers (in fact, it's what killed my Dad), but they got hooked before the dangers were publicised. There have been numerous occasions where I have had to leave pubs because of sore eyes and a sore throat caused by cigarette smoke but, as you imply, I don't have to go to smoky pubs. Clearly, though, it's not so easy for children to avoid their parent's smoke. I would still like to hear from someone who smokes near children as to why they are not concerned about the damage they are probably doing. (And I agree about the drinking and driving too fast - perhaps good subjects for other discussions).

[blackfive]

I, like Moog, am a smoker by choice and have been for over forty years. I am, however, a considerate smoker. We bought our new home four and a half years ago and as my wife does not smoke, no-one in that period has ever smoked a cigarette inside our home. If I want a fag I go outside and I insist visitors do the same. I never smoke in enclosed public places or near children. I have no problem with the fact that smokers have, in recent years, become 'social lepers', I also fully concur with the fact that I do not have the right to pollute other peoples breathing space, so I DON'T do it! I'm sure that a large proportion of my fellow smokers feel and act exactly the same and as such, do not qualify for the bigoted, vitriolic comments as expressed by Randy!!

[Flanj]

Well done Blackfive and Moog! As a non-smoker I'd rather spend time with either you (smoking or not) than with rude, ignorant and offensive people like Randy. Abrasive of me? Maybe. But no more than Randy's comment invites. Why attempt reasoned, adult discussions when some people are just so blinkered in their opinions and disinterested in anyone elses? And to respond to the question, there will be many 'reasons' why people continue to smoke in front of their children but I'm sure none of them justify the behaviour.