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.

[Pipsqueak, ADN]

nurseby07

And yet...

I love a cigarette or two with a glass of wine (outside of course) and good company to boot, long talks that you get when you visit with "the smokers". In an adult (outside) environment with the campfire blazing, very enjoyable, indeed.

Ahhh, this is what I miss about smoking.

In my pre-Army days there were days I was so poor I had to decide if I would eat that day or buy a pack of cigarettes. It was actually an easy choice as it is WAYYY better to have smokes and be hungry than to be full and have no smokes....

:

And this is definately one of many things I do not miss about smoking. Been there, done that.

[RedSox33RN]

Would I say anything? No, not unless they were good friends. Like posted before, if those kids have ever seen a doctor, they have probably been advised.

I also find it interesting how many smokers say that they don't smoke with the kids in the house or in the car. But be it outside or just not when the kids are around, the toxins from the smoke remain in clothing, furniture, the fruit in the bowl on the counter, towels hanging in the bathroom, etc. etc. I am looking for the studies I used for my paper in college, but just because a child in a smoking household may not be directly exposed to second-hand smoke, they are still exposed to all of the chemicals and are still very much at risk that way. It is very nasty and while not exposing non-smokers to the second-hand smoke helps, it is nowhere near the same as being in a non-smoking environment.

[Atheos]

I also find it interesting how many smokers say that they don't smoke with the kids in the house or in the car. But be it outside or just not when the kids are around, the toxins from the smoke remain in clothing, furniture, the fruit in the bowl on the counter, towels hanging in the bathroom, etc. etc. I am looking for the studies I used for my paper in college, but just because a child in a smoking household may not be directly exposed to second-hand smoke, they are still exposed to all of the chemicals and are still very much at risk that way. It is very nasty and while not exposing non-smokers to the second-hand smoke helps, it is nowhere near the same as being in a non-smoking environment.

Not to excuse smoking but that is a dead horse.

Air Pollution and Lung Development in Children (NIH Study)

The damage caused by second hand toxins on clothing is insignificant compared to the toxins produced daily by smokers and non-smokers alike. It's almost like advising a coal miner not to smoke even though he is already inhaling massive amounts of poison.

[RedSox33RN]

No, it most certainly is NOT a dead horse when children are exposed, especially if those children have other illnesses.

[Atheos]

What I mean is that worrying about that while they are exposed to all the other toxins just created by cars for example is like pouring buckets of water on your bed while the rest of the house burns down behind you...

Anything worth doing is worth doing right. If you are going to worry about the second hand smoke on clothing toxins you should probably be worrying about all the toxins and not 'picking' on just one.

[vashtee, RN]

I don't really understand the vitriol of some posters about their parents smoking when they were growing up... mine did, too. ::shrug:: It was a different generation and people did things differently. They used to hit kids with switches, too... it was considered "normal". I bet those parents regret their smoking now. Why rub it in?

[morte, LPN, LVN]

I don't really understand the vitriol of some posters about their parents smoking when they were growing up... mine did, too. ::shrug:: It was a different generation and people did things differently. They used to hit kids with switches, too... it was considered "normal". I bet those parents regret their smoking now. Why rub it in?

i would hazard a guess, because, unlike myself, many of the complainers are young enough that it was common knowledge....and their parents did it anyway

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Another child of chain smokers here . . . I grew up in the 60's and 70's and people knew cigs were bad but still smoked. Mom smoked when she was preggers too.

I had lots of ear infections but no asthma or other respiratory problems. I resolved NEVER to even try cigs as I hated being around them so much. It is awful to go to school reeking. All my siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins smoke.

However, cigs have made a comeback with our youth - actresses like Jennifer Aniston smoke. My 19 y.o. daughter and 23 y.o. son are smoking (not in front of me though) and I am very disappointed. Years of anti-smoking education from me and 5 years of my mom (who still smokes) living with us and the kids hating it.

I wouldn't say anything to the smoking mom and dad . . . . it wouldn't do any good.

(Oh, I'm very familiar with "switches" and wooden spoons and belts too)

steph

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I don't really understand the vitriol of some posters about their parents smoking when they were growing up... mine did, too. ::shrug:: It was a different generation and people did things differently. They used to hit kids with switches, too... it was considered "normal". I bet those parents regret their smoking now. Why rub it in?

Actually, I was born in the 1980s. My growing-up years were the 1980s and 1990s, and my parents barely stopped smoking indoors in 2004. This was definitely not an entire generation ago.

In addition, it is difficult to "let go" when you endured health problems that directly correlated with the passive smoke generated from their cigarette habit.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I've never had to deal with an addiction, so I truly don't know what smokers go through trying to quit but it must be a nightmare.

Quitting smoking is utter hell. I quit a 25 year 2+ pack a day habit a year ago Valentines Day, as a gift to my wife and grandchildren. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I still have cravings for cigarettes daily.

[Atheos]

I have decided that the last breath I take in this life will be nicotine filled. Since I have no desire to live forever and no real fear of death I will be puffing away until the very end.

I have decided that a shorter life doing the things I enjoy is far more acceptable than living in a nursing home until 100 totally miserable. The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...

Of course, I will not be taking any children with me or sending them on their way.

"...It's better to burn out

Than to fade away..." - Neil Young :)

[leslie :-D]

I have decided that the last breath I take in this life will be nicotine filled. Since I have no desire to live forever and no real fear of death I will be puffing away until the very end.

I have decided that a shorter life doing the things I enjoy is far more acceptable than living in a nursing home until 100 totally miserable. The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long...

Of course, I will not be taking any children with me or sending them on their way.

"...It's better to burn out

Than to fade away..." - Neil Young :)

i share these sentiments as well.

my family and i have always thought me to be dead by 60 yo.

so why ami struggling to quit smoking (3rd day now)?

likely for all the wrong reasons, i.e., not for myself but for my loved ones.

my husband and kids know to find a patch of green when my time comes.

i know i'll be just fine, under the heavens and w/nature around me.

i choose quality over quantity any old day.

leslie