Nursing, Smoking, and Kids

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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.

Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
Because I thought that becoming a health care professional meant that I would have an obligation to help people. Guess some people don't feel that way. But as I've already stated, I don't plan on saying anything because it is not my place.

But you have to remember that a lot of people only want the help if they ask for it.

Some people may be grateful that you offer advice, unsolicited, but from my experience, most people do not welcome it.

Really though, it is ultimately up to you! I've read that you stated that you are not going to say anything, but I hope that is because that is what you decided to do.

It doesn't matter if everyone on here stated "Don't do it". If you feel that it is the right thing to do, by all means, do it! You will feel better about yourself that you took the initiative and did what you feel is the correct thing to do.

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Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).
But you have to remember that a lot of people only want the help if they ask for it.

Some people may be grateful that you offer advice, unsolicited, but from my experience, most people do not welcome it.

Really though, it is ultimately up to you! I've read that you stated that you are not going to say anything, but I hope that is because that is what you decided to do.

It doesn't matter if everyone on here stated "Don't do it". If you feel that it is the right thing to do, by all means, do it! You will feel better about yourself that you took the initiative and did what you feel is the correct thing to do.

I know that now. Which is why I'm not going to say anything. They are my neighbors and I have to see them every day. The main thing that made me decide not to do anything is that as several others pointed out, they probably already know. Their physicians have probably already given them the talk. If I was working as a nurse in an office or wherever, I don't think I would hesitate to bring it up. I haven't opted out of saying anything because everyone advised me not to; I've decided not to because of the additional input everyone has given me. I think I will take the initiative some other way. Maybe I'll slip them a flyer on their door. They may glance at it and just throw it away but at least I wouldn't feel as though I did nothing.

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Specializes in acute care, ltc, trauma.

I agree, do what you think will make you feel best, afterall you are the one who has to live with yourself. Everyone has different things that drive them. I guess my post made me sound hardened and jaded, but as terrible as it seems, after 12 yrs in healthcare a certain amt of that takes place, and you realize it is not your responsibility to save everyone because it is impopssible to do or they refuse to be saved. Then again maybe its just me, maybe I'm the cold hearted nurse no one will want to work with when I'm near retirement lol. You truely seem like a pt advocate...so, again do what makes YOU feel best. Best Wishes!

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

Sorry smoking around your children is not child abuse. Taking a lit cigarette, burning them, intentionally blowing smoke in their face, or forcing them to smoke is.

While the OP intentions are good it sounds like they need to stay out of their business unles the child is being harmed.

Yes smoking is bad for you. Yes I am a smoker I have smoked since I was 14. I quit with both pregnancies. My children are fine. I smoke outside yes even in the winter, when its raining, etc. I do not smoke in my car period.

There are other things to save the world from beside smokers.

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Specializes in DOU.

I have to agree that to equate smoking with child abuse is to minimize the suffering of kids who are being physically/sexually abused in some way. Parents who smoke around their kids shouldn't do it, but it isn't illegal (I don't think).

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Specializes in Psych, ER, OB, M/S, teaching, FNP.

spring05

I have not read every post from the first so this may have been related to you already. I believe as health care providers it is our duty to inform our patients of risky behaviors, even if they have been told a million times and even if you KNOW they will not change. It is kind of like we learn "secrets" in school, OK they are not really secrets but we learn things and if we don't share that knowledge it is lost to some points.

I do OB and help deliver babies. I HATE it when a woman smokes while she is pregnant. I do childbirth classes and teach about smoking in pregnancy and second hand smoke. And even people that have experienced problems with smoking (low birth weight, preterm birth, placental insufficiency, etc.), still smoke. Have cared for two women recently, both smoked throughout current pregnancy and through previous ones, BOTH have lost babies to SIDS and despite being educated on the fact that smoking in pregnancy increases SIDS risk by 3 TIMES they choose to continue.

But the difference here is these we MY patients. These were not neighbors, or friends or strangers. These were people that were under my care. So I non-judgementally and respectfully explain the dangers. For example, I am a child passenger safety technician (car seats). I have seen so many kids not buckled in properly I can't count them all. I NEVER approach a parent in a parking lot and point it out. But if I am asked, I go into my whole spiel about rear facing for as long as possible and the dangers of toddlers and seat belts, etc., etc.

So if you feel strongly about second hand smoke around children then arm yourself for the future when you do have parents that are your patients. I did my master's thesis on smoking in pregnancy (how to help them quit if they want to not how to guilt them into quitting, doesn't work). Learn about the dangers and how to minimize the damage (like smoking outside, etc.). but always do it in a respectful, non-judgemental way, you catch more flies with honey, and remember ONLY if they are your patient. Good luck.

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Specializes in Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy.

I'm one who grew up in a smoking household, and have had asthma all my life, worsened by it. My stepdad's best solution to the problem was, and I quote, "carry him down to that doctor and get him a shot or sumthin' ", which was never a solution to anything. Now in his 60's he's been "sober" for nearly 20 years, and apologizes often. Ya see, his gallbladder exploded, and nearly killed him. He learns quickly.

I like the "Quitters Incorporated" stop-smoking solution on the Stephen King movie "Cat's Eye" (1985). Take all the smokers and stick them in the "cat room", while the wife and kids get to watch, laugh, and jeer, instead of the other way around. :yeah:

My rule: If you're going to smoke :smokin:, DON'T HAVE KIDS. Simple, no ?

Yes, it's an addiction. But it's an addiction that affects others around you before it ever affects you. At least YOU get to suck pollution thru a filter, I don't get such a break. Break that filter off and suck it like a "real man" (and die sooner), I say.

As for healthcare workers who smoke...you're in the wrong business.

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I'm one who grew up in a smoking household, and have had asthma all my life, worsened by it. My stepdad's best solution to the problem was, and I quote, "carry him down to that doctor and get him a shot or sumthin' ", which was never a solution to anything. Now in his 60's he's been "sober" for nearly 20 years, and apologizes often. Ya see, his gallbladder exploded, and nearly killed him. He learns quickly.

I like the "Quitters Incorporated" stop-smoking solution on the Stephen King movie "Cat's Eye" (1985). Take all the smokers and stick them in the "cat room", while the wife and kids get to watch, laugh, and jeer, instead of the other way around. :yeah:

My rule: If you're going to smoke :smokin:, DON'T HAVE KIDS. Simple, no ?

Yes, it's an addiction. But it's an addiction that affects others around you before it ever affects you. At least YOU get to suck pollution thru a filter, I don't get such a break. Break that filter off and suck it like a "real man" (and die sooner), I say.

As for healthcare workers who smoke...you're in the wrong business.

Nice :) Good thing you don't get to decide who gets what rights...

Proving your dad's smoking caused your asthma is going to be about as hard as proving my friends parents not smoking caused his asthma.

Smoking is still a right as far as I know. If that bugs you then you might be in the wrong country...

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So what happens if you see an overweight child in Mcdonald's with their parents? Are you going to feel obligated to tell the parent not to buy that kid a cheeseburger because they are potentially harming their health? Is that child abuse? Where does it end?

Just because you are a "future nurse", you are not the health police.

I agree. It's none of your business. There are LOTS of things people do to their children that I do not agree with: spanking, smoking around them, feeding them garbage from fast food places, letting them stay up as late as they want (I know a mom who lets her 3 year old habitually stay up till midnight). I choose NOT to expose my child to those things and lead by example. You can't tell other parents how to raise their kids.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I AM A SMOKER AND I HAVE TWO KIDS i AM ALSO A MEDICAL ASSISTANT, CNA AND A FUTURE NURSE " AUGUST 2009) THE LAST TIME I CHECKED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS A FREE COUNTRY SO YOU ARE FREE TO HAVE YOUR BELIEFS AND RIGHT AND SO ARE ALL OF US SMOKERS WHO ARE IN THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSION. BOTH OF MY KIDS ARE HEALTHY AND HAVE NO MEDICAL PROBLEMS I THINK INSTEAD OF WORRY ABOUT THOSE THAT SMOKE YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT THOSE WHO ABUSE DRUGS AND DRINK WHO ARE NOT THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS OR PROVIDE FOR THEM I HAVE NEVER LET MY KIDS GO HUNGRY BECAUSE I NEEDED CIGARETTES BUT THOSE WHO DRINK AND DO DRUGS I CAN BET YOU CAN NOT SAY THE SAME AND BY THE WAY I SMOKE OUTSIDE NOT AROUND MY KIDS OR IN THE CAR AT ALL.WETHER THEY ARE WITH ME OR NOT . I THINK YOU ARE IN THE WRONG PROFESSION BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE CARING FOR SOMEONE ELSE THEY HAVE RIHT AND YOU NEED TO BE COMPASSIONATE BUT THROUGH YOUR POST I DO NOT SEE ANY OF THAT I GUESS YOUR PATIENTS CAN SEE THAT TO

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Unfortunately typing in all caps should not be a liberty...

Really though, it is hard on the eyes...

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Specializes in geriatrics.

sorry the post just made me a little upset especially talking about those that smoke should not have kids that is going a little to far as far as I am concerened and also saying that smokers should not be in the Healthcare profession. Well iI hate to say it but I know a few doctors that smoke they do warn the patients about smoking and their health but also say that it is not fair for them to judge because they are doing the same thing. Sorry about hurting your eyes though:D

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