Nursing, Smoking, and Kids

[JettaDP]

I have a neighbor that has two small children and they are serious chain smokers. I've always thought that smoking around children is a form of child abuse. But I've never wanted to say anything to them because despite my personal feelings, smoking around kids is discouraged but not illegal (yet). At least not where I live. So all I do is walk by and do nothing about it. Now, I am a nursing student. And as a future nurse, I feel obligated to do something. But what can I possibly do considering it is not illegal? If I talk to them, they could retaliate in some way. I don't really know them so I don't have a clue how they would react. I am just fearful for the kids (ages 2 and 4). Should I just mind my own business? I'm not trying to be a nosey neighbor. I just don't want to see the kids develop asthma or cancer or something.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If any person were to tell my mother and father that they were exposing their daughter to unhealthful secondhand smoke during my growing-up years, their angry response would have been, "Mind your own damned business, and don't you dare tell me what to do with my child!" By the way, my parents barely stopped lighting up in the house in 2004. They still smoke in their vehicles.

Unfortunately, the advice goes into 1 ear and out the other, unless the parent is ready to make a lifestyle change from within.

Both parents smoked in the home and car during my growing-up years; as a result, I was always sick with colds 4 times yearly, ear infections, fevers, and other little ailments. Also, I probably reeked of smoke before going to school daily. It was no coincidence that I suddenly stopped becoming sick once I moved out of their home. It just disturbs me when parents would smoke in an enclosed space, knowing that the nicotine metabolites turn up in their child's urine and blood.

In my honest opinion, the most caring and unselfish thing a smoking parent can do is step outside the home or car to smoke. My post might sound 'judgmental' to some, but I am merely stating my personal opinion that has been shaped my by past experiences as the child of smokers.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

By the way, here's a link to another insightful thread on "Smoking and Kids," if anyone is interested. It contains several posts from a mother/nurse who admits to smoking cigerettes in the home around her young children, so the OP (original poster) might be interested in her viewpoints.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/kids-wreak-smoke-ethics-question-150744.html

[JettaDP]

Would you agree that there is a difference between constantly blowing smoke in a child's face than smoking a cigarette and taking precautions to have as little impact on their health due to a disease (in this case addiction).

I absolutely agree. There's a huge difference. But in the case of my neighbors, they aren't taking any precautions. They hold their kids while they smoke. If I always saw them smoking out on the porch while the kids were inside, I would never have thought anything about it.

While I 100% agree that it is an addiction, that doesn't mean that they have to do it while holding or in the presence of their kids.

[JettaDP]

By the way, here's a link to another insightful thread on "Smoking and Kids," if anyone is interested. It contains several posts from a mother/nurse who admits to smoking cigerettes in the home around her young children, so the OP (original poster) might be interested in her viewpoints.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/kids-wreak-smoke-ethics-question-150744.html

I did look at this thread. Thank you for sharing. What I learned from the responses she got and the responses that I have got is that I am out of place to bring up the subject because 1) I am not a health care professional yet, and 2) there is a big difference between me wanting to help my neighbors and a nurse or doctor bringing up the subject in a clinical setting. Even if I was a nurse right now, bringing it up outside of a clincial setting in not the right thing to do. I can just hope that when they take the kids in for their check-ups that their health care provider will educate them.

Thanks for providing this link. It did show me another perspective.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I can just hope that when they take the kids in for their check-ups that their health care provider will educate them.

Many healthcare providers avoid mentioning the subjects of passive smoking and nicotine cessation to this specific patient population, because they don't want to do anything to alienate these parents. Patients are sources of revenue for doctors' offices and clinics, and they'll simply find somewhere else to go if they hear about smoking cessation too many times from the same healthcare provider.

[2006RNCS]

I grew up in a household where both parents and an older brother smoked. They smoked so much, that my clothes and hair reeked of it when I went to school. When I was in middle school, some classmates accused me of smoking. There was so much smoke in my clothes and hair, that I could see why they thought I did. My parents smoked while I was in the car with them. Windows were up or down, but that really did not make a lot of difference.

I suffered from colds and asthma, and I missed a lot of school because of it. I have permanent lung damage because of exposure to the smoke. My mom even smoked when she was pregnant with me, and I was born premature and underweight.

I know that it is an option to smoke or not smoke, but please parents, don't make your children suffer because of your habit or addiction. They are innocent. Some may not show the damage until many years down the road. Love them enough to not smoke around them.

My dad died from lung cancer, and my mom still smokes, and suffers from every ailment imaginable, most relating back to her smoking. She has COPD, CHF, CAD, emphysema, peripheral vascular neuropathy, and AMD.

So, I am not trying to preach, but I know what devastating effects smoking has on a family. God bless each of you.:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

[leslie :-D]

Many healthcare providers avoid mentioning the subjects of passive smoking and nicotine cessation to this specific patient population, because they don't want to do anything to alienate these parents. Patients are sources of revenue for doctors' offices and clinics, and they'll simply find somewhere else to go if they hear about smoking cessation too many times from the same healthcare provider.

is there any data supporting your contention, commuter...

that healthcare providers avoid mentioning subjects of passive smoking/nicotine cessation?

i'm incredulous and would love to read this.

my kids pediatricians always, ALWAYS brought up my smoking habits.

even to this day, all of the md's/np's, still do.

granted, now, and after yrs of knowing me/kids, they 'tease' me, asking me if i'm still smoking on my deck?

but their messages are loud and clear, nonetheless.

thanks for any data you can provide.

leslie

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

is there any data supporting your contention, commuter...

In a nutshell, no.

And my parents would always lie about their smoking habits to healthcare providers, insurance agents, and anyone who asked.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

thanks for any data you can provide.

leslie

Yippee!!! I found something. . .

http://www.cfah.org/hbns/newsrelease/quit_smoking11-01-01.cfm

Nurses Advise Patients to Quit Smoking Only Half the Time

Despite increased efforts to encourage health care professionals to counsel their patients on smoking cessation, many nurses feel ill-equipped to broach the subject, according to new research.

Some hospitals participating in the study used stickers on patients' charts to prompt nurses to ask about smoking status and give cessation advice. However, even with this reminder, nurses talked about smoking with their patients only 50 percent of the time.

[leslie :-D]

in a nutshell, no.

and my parents would always lie about their smoking habits to healthcare providers, insurance agents, and anyone who asked.

that's really, really sad.

i can truthfully say that i hate that i smoke and recognize what a neurotic nut i look like while i'm having a smoke outside in a storm.

i am all for a legal, federal ban.

today has been my 2nd day w/o a smoke, for the 356th time.

yippee!!! i found something. . .

http://www.cfah.org/hbns/newsrelease/quit_smoking11-01-01.cfm

i have mixed feelings about this...

since i am a smoker, i would feel like a total hypocrite if telling my pts not to smoke.

but it's not so much a big deal in my specialty.

i let them do whatever they darn well please.

but my point is, i couldn't tell my pts one thing while i'm just as guilty.

empathy and education (in the form of written material) is all i can do.

leslie

[pirap]

i wouldn't confront these people but you are right..it is child abuse..

can you imagine what it must be like in a car with the windows rolled up and someone sucking on cigarette after cigarette with these poor helpless souls strapped in the car with no way to get out or a way to roll the windows down...the windows may be slightly cracked but come on..no one rides with the windows down anymore!!! even if you roll them down all the way smoke is still in the car or ashes are getting blown all around!!

can you imagine these kids in their beds night after night breathing horrible cigarette smoke? man the thought just makes me want to puke my brains out...

have you ever smelled the children of smokers?? they absolute reek of cigarette smoke..not just on their clothes but down to their pores..you can even smell it on their breath.

you wouldn't leave a loaded gun on the coffee table, or an open bottle of medicine out in their reach..both could be deadly in an instant..but if you smoke around your kids you are killing them--slowly.

[I love my cat!]

I wouldn't say a word. Trust me, people in general do not like being told how act or behave. They will become angry and defensive.

If you confront them, I guarantee they will be watching you like a hawk. They will be waiting to chew you to threads for the slightest wrong-doing that you may do, even if you did it by accident.

If you really want to provide educational information, maybe you could mail pamphlets anonymously. Doesn't mean they will read it though.

Good Luck!!