Should second-hand smoke be illegal in a home with children?

steelydanfan · Mar 13, 2011

I agree with Chin up, Because then we would have to make it illegal for
Children to live in a house where they are allowed to become overweight
Children to live in a house where parents consume more than 2 alcoholic beverages on any given day
Children who live in a home where..... (times infinite examples)
You really can't discriminate between various hazards to health (and to be honest the weight issue is probably more immediate and concerning)
Who would police such policies? Perhaps would could start a new branch of government called big brother....
For what it is worth, I think that smoking in a home with children is horrible, but education is the key :)[/quo
CPS is so ineffective that they let kids go back to abusive, drug addicted parents that often eventually kill them.
And you are worried about second hand smoke?

neuroms · Mar 13, 2011

:confused:I'm definitely using this more often.

zbb13 · Mar 13, 2011

I feel so bad when I see horrendously obese children who can't walk twenty steps without sweating copiously and huffing and puffing. I have kids, and they would eat every drop of sugar/candy/chocolate in this house if I gave them tons and tons of it, so I see it as the parents being enablers. And kids don't need to be physically fed the food, they have very little self-control. With easy access to junk food and candy all day long, why shouldn't they take part in the food fest? I also dislike going into homes where the parents are puffing away and the kids are stuck in a cloud of smoke. I feel bad for kids who live in homes where the Mom (single parent) sits and watches the box all day and the kids are ignored.

I worked as a child welfare worker. There is a nice amount of bad parenting going on out there, however I don't agree that the Government should EVER intervene or remove a child from his parent's care unless he is at risk of injury or death. I have been inside too many foster homes and group homes and thinking about a lot of them makes me shudder. Kids are better off with their parents. Sometimes a poor parent will have to be "good enough," because it sure beats the alternative, and since there are no guarantees in life -- great parents can product a really terrible kid --just as poor parents can produce a star-- the kid will never be loved by anyone, ever, like the parent loves them. (I am not speaking of truly criminal parents here, where there are true cases of abuse/neglect.)

As to the Government dictating what happens in our homes, I think we have plenty of "big daddy" around already, and it's more than enough. As to education being priority number one, I do believe in educating parents, but my experience has shown that it doesn't always help.

starzrn · Mar 13, 2011

For those children who feel like they have a plastic bag over their head when a parent smokes...

Nurse says: Dear parent, right now I see your child suffocating from your cigarette smoke. Were you aware of the effects of cigarette smoke...okay...have a wonderful day...bye bye child...there is nothing else I can do but educate...hope you get your breath back because I have now educated your parent.

This is how silly education seems to me when there is a fire that needs to be put out first. I want to have the right to bring the child outside from the home for some air (not take them away permamently) until the parent puts out the cigarette...then start my education.

Do any of you have a problem with that at least? Remember, I make home visits.

I do feel someday it will be illegal to smoke in a home with a child, and although I don't think it's a perfect system in ANYWAY, putting some pressure on the parents to quit by telling them they could be fined if someone reports it is something I would be okay with.

When you try to compare it with obesity, this is obsurd...A...B...C (airway)

CanuckLPN73 · Mar 13, 2011

:rolleyes:

LOL

For starz though, I had posted back on the 2nd page I believe that I have never smoked in my home, that's why the confusion, I have posted a few times in this thread stating that I do not care for the idea to smoke around children, (though as I have stated I have-not in my home though) as I am only human. However I do not think it should be made illegal, as I believe in education. More people than ever before are smoking outside, and more are quitting so education is working :).

LaughingRN · Mar 13, 2011

For those children who feel like they have a plastic bag over their head when a parent smokes...
Nurse says: Dear parent, right now I see your child suffocating from your cigarette smoke. Were you aware of the effects of cigarette smoke...okay...have a wonderful day...bye bye child...there is nothing else I can do but educate...hope you get your breath back because I have now educated your parent.
This is how silly education seems to me when there is a fire that needs to be put out first. I want to have the right to bring the child outside from the home for some air (not take them away permamently) until the parent puts out the cigarette...then start my education.
Do any of you have a problem with that at least? Remember, I make home visits.
I do feel someday it will be illegal to smoke in a home with a child, and although I don't think it's a perfect system in ANYWAY, putting some pressure on the parents to quit by telling them they could be fined if someone reports it is something I would be okay with.
When you try to compare it with obesity, this is obsurd...A...B...C (airway)

Listen. You are not actually participating in real conversation. What you are doing is lecturing your point, without considering the responses you have received.

Your personal history, with suffering from a horrible illness is cloudy your ability to view this from any other angle than the one you have decided to view it from.

Bear with me on this post, because there is an important point you should take from this.

Yes, my fellow asthma sufferer. Asthma is like drowning in air. I know the sensation of trying to draw a breath and not being able to pull it in deep enough. Your chest burns, your automatic response is to cough to try to clear something (and there is nothing to cough) and violent coughing causing more rebound swelling and your chest burns and it feels like you are dying while breathing through a 10 foot straw.

Having said that. Not. All. Asthma. is triggered by cigarette smoke.

Mine isn't in the least bit. Allergies and physical exertion, weather changes (humidity) ect, yes. It has never been triggered by smoke (well, maybe campfire smoke). The allergies were the worst, you put me in a house with a cat and I wheezed all day long despite numerous medications. I received allergy injections once a week for my entire childhood to eliminate the source of my misery. That said, we got a cat when I was about 10, and I had no say in the matter.

Now, if you had charged in to remove me from my home, my family, my friends to teach my parents a lesson first, I cannot imagine the devastating effects on my life that would have had. You would not have been my savior. You would have killed me. I would have lost all trust in nurses, and the overall profession. I can't stress this enough- you would have destroyed my life

I realize that you are not talking about animal related allergy/asthma, but what is the difference. You keep eluding to the fact that you are most concerned with the suffering of children.

Is it fair to remove an asthmatic child from a home whose parents have an animal, dusty house, a house with mold, a house with staircases (in asthmatics triggered by physical exertion)...without attempting to educate????

(you already answered that question Yes many posts ago)

Now, you are all over the board with your argument and I'd like to bring it back to the actual question you posed. Should Smoking be Illegal in Homes With Children?

As I posted once. The majority of homes with smokers, most likely don't have children with asthma. Your Only justification to your suggestion is related to the suffering of children with asthma.

In order to "punish" the majority of parents who are doing no "active" harm to their children, you would tear them apart. I personally don't think the means justify the end.

There is also a blatant disregard towards everyone posting about the true state of foster care, CPS or any other derivative of the word, and how this solution borders on impractical.

Personally, with how backed up social workers are, with funding shrinking, I would rather rescue the 5 year old child who had his orifice tore open, than the five year old who lives with smokers that has no "active" health effects. The problem sometimes lies with the fact that so many people assume that in America, the resources are infinite. How can you justify taking more resources away from children who honestly, desperately need it?

I have so many more points I would love to make, but unfortunately My new work week is starting soon, so I will be off to go save the world one life at a time, but I would like to leave you with one more thought.

CPS, and social work already exists in the health world. I think that you original question should have been,

I have come across a situation at work where there is a sick child who's life is being endangered...how do I get social work involved?

You will find that an asthmatic child who's parents actions are hospitalizing him/her, already meets standards for social work involvement. There is no need to intrude on the lives of millions to reach these few.

Like I said earlier, obesity only came into the discussion when it was put into context of the original question. Obesity was an extremely valid reply at that point.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

The loss of tax revenue alone will prevent this from ever happening.

There would be an extreme savings in health care, and the government is still the biggest payer in health care.

starzrn · Mar 14, 2011

laughing RN...we can't all save the world...that is obvious...but I don't believe bringing a baby out until a cigarette is put out would have destroyed your life.

I don't think you get it... so let me say it again...the word illegal could mean a fine if reported...it doesn't have to be a child taken from a home.

I am a bold nurse and I don't have any problems being an advocate for a baby who can't tell you if they can breathe or not.

I have a passion for children of smoking parents...it's obvious...and I will do what I can.

Not all can do everything, but as people speak out...things can change.

If we do nothing...nothing will change!!!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

Listen. You are not actually participating in real conversation. What you are doing is lecturing your point, without considering the responses you have received.
Your personal history, with suffering from a horrible illness is cloudy your ability to view this from any other angle than the one you have decided to view it from.
Bear with me on this post, because there is an important point you should take from this.
Yes, my fellow asthma sufferer. Asthma is like drowning in air. I know the sensation of trying to draw a breath and not being able to pull it in deep enough. Your chest burns, your automatic response is to cough to try to clear something (and there is nothing to cough) and violent coughing causing more rebound swelling and your chest burns and it feels like you are dying while breathing through a 10 foot straw.
Having said that. Not. All. Asthma. is triggered by cigarette smoke.
Mine isn't in the least bit. Allergies and physical exertion, weather changes (humidity) ect, yes. It has never been triggered by smoke (well, maybe campfire smoke). The allergies were the worst, you put me in a house with a cat and I wheezed all day long despite numerous medications. I received allergy injections once a week for my entire childhood to eliminate the source of my misery. That said, we got a cat when I was about 10, and I had no say in the matter.
Now, if you had charged in to remove me from my home, my family, my friends to teach my parents a lesson first, I cannot imagine the devastating effects on my life that would have had. You would not have been my savior. You would have killed me. I would have lost all trust in nurses, and the overall profession. I can't stress this enough- you would have destroyed my life
I realize that you are not talking about animal related allergy/asthma, but what is the difference. You keep eluding to the fact that you are most concerned with the suffering of children.
Is it fair to remove an asthmatic child from a home whose parents have an animal, dusty house, a house with mold, a house with staircases (in asthmatics triggered by physical exertion)...without attempting to educate????
(you already answered that question Yes many posts ago)
Now, you are all over the board with your argument and I'd like to bring it back to the actual question you posed. Should Smoking be Illegal in Homes With Children?
As I posted once. The majority of homes with smokers, most likely don't have children with asthma. Your Only justification to your suggestion is related to the suffering of children with asthma.
In order to "punish" the majority of parents who are doing no "active" harm to their children, you would tear them apart. I personally don't think the means justify the end.
There is also a blatant disregard towards everyone posting about the true state of foster care, CPS or any other derivative of the word, and how this solution borders on impractical.
Personally, with how backed up social workers are, with funding shrinking, I would rather rescue the 5 year old child who had his orifice tore open, than the five year old who lives with smokers that has no "active" health effects. The problem sometimes lies with the fact that so many people assume that in America, the resources are infinite. How can you justify taking more resources away from children who honestly, desperately need it?
I have so many more points I would love to make, but unfortunately My new work week is starting soon, so I will be off to go save the world one life at a time, but I would like to leave you with one more thought.
CPS, and social work already exists in the health world. I think that you original question should have been,
I have come across a situation at work where there is a sick child who's life is being endangered...how do I get social work involved?
You will find that an asthmatic child who's parents actions are hospitalizing him/her, already meets standards for social work involvement. There is no need to intrude on the lives of millions to reach these few.
Like I said earlier, obesity only came into the discussion when it was put into context of the original question. Obesity was an extremely valid reply at that point.

I had to quote this because kudos isn't enough. *Confetti and fireworks heck yeah preach it sistah*

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2011

I feel bad for kids in cars when there is someone smoking - it is a much smaller space, and the kids have no way to get away if they wanted to.

My grandma used to do that.

I'd smell the smoke wafting from the driver's seat all the way to the back of the station wagon.... and I liked it!!!

lol :clown:

I think I was a weird kid.

However, that said, we need to be responsible for ourselves and the government needs to back off.

CanuckLPN73 · Mar 14, 2011

Okay so if it were illegal for those with children, whether it were parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, whomever to smoke in a home with a child, then what about those like me who have never smoked in their home?

I come in from outside and trust me my kids are complaining as they cannot stand the smell on my clothes, in my hair, on my skin, etc.

We all know that 2nd hand smoke is harmful and now from what I've been learning in school, others may disagree, that the third hand smoke which I carry back in to the house on my clothing is actually worse than the 2nd hand smoke that those children get from the parents who smoke infront of their child :uhoh3: . So if this is actually true, should those like me be fined as well? http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/123/1/e74

FF-PHRN · Mar 14, 2011

Listen. You are not actually participating in real conversation. What you are doing is lecturing your point, without considering the responses you have received.
Your personal history, with suffering from a horrible illness is cloudy your ability to view this from any other angle than the one you have decided to view it from.
Bear with me on this post, because there is an important point you should take from this.
Yes, my fellow asthma sufferer. Asthma is like drowning in air. I know the sensation of trying to draw a breath and not being able to pull it in deep enough. Your chest burns, your automatic response is to cough to try to clear something (and there is nothing to cough) and violent coughing causing more rebound swelling and your chest burns and it feels like you are dying while breathing through a 10 foot straw.
Having said that. Not. All. Asthma. is triggered by cigarette smoke.
Mine isn't in the least bit. Allergies and physical exertion, weather changes (humidity) ect, yes. It has never been triggered by smoke (well, maybe campfire smoke). The allergies were the worst, you put me in a house with a cat and I wheezed all day long despite numerous medications. I received allergy injections once a week for my entire childhood to eliminate the source of my misery. That said, we got a cat when I was about 10, and I had no say in the matter.
Now, if you had charged in to remove me from my home, my family, my friends to teach my parents a lesson first, I cannot imagine the devastating effects on my life that would have had. You would not have been my savior. You would have killed me. I would have lost all trust in nurses, and the overall profession. I can't stress this enough- you would have destroyed my life
I realize that you are not talking about animal related allergy/asthma, but what is the difference. You keep eluding to the fact that you are most concerned with the suffering of children.
Is it fair to remove an asthmatic child from a home whose parents have an animal, dusty house, a house with mold, a house with staircases (in asthmatics triggered by physical exertion)...without attempting to educate????
(you already answered that question Yes many posts ago)
Now, you are all over the board with your argument and I'd like to bring it back to the actual question you posed. Should Smoking be Illegal in Homes With Children?
As I posted once. The majority of homes with smokers, most likely don't have children with asthma. Your Only justification to your suggestion is related to the suffering of children with asthma.
In order to "punish" the majority of parents who are doing no "active" harm to their children, you would tear them apart. I personally don't think the means justify the end.
There is also a blatant disregard towards everyone posting about the true state of foster care, CPS or any other derivative of the word, and how this solution borders on impractical.
Personally, with how backed up social workers are, with funding shrinking, I would rather rescue the 5 year old child who had his orifice tore open, than the five year old who lives with smokers that has no "active" health effects. The problem sometimes lies with the fact that so many people assume that in America, the resources are infinite. How can you justify taking more resources away from children who honestly, desperately need it?
I have so many more points I would love to make, but unfortunately My new work week is starting soon, so I will be off to go save the world one life at a time, but I would like to leave you with one more thought.
CPS, and social work already exists in the health world. I think that you original question should have been,
I have come across a situation at work where there is a sick child who's life is being endangered...how do I get social work involved?
You will find that an asthmatic child who's parents actions are hospitalizing him/her, already meets standards for social work involvement. There is no need to intrude on the lives of millions to reach these few.
Like I said earlier, obesity only came into the discussion when it was put into context of the original question. Obesity was an extremely valid reply at that point.

I have to say that is spot on. Nothing left to say. Especially the first two sentences.

However......I know whats coming. but...but...but...but... its for the children!!!!......like thats some kind of trump card to stomp all over everyone elses rights. Done..the dead horse is thoroughly beaten.