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

[starzrn]

What do you think?

[starzrn]

Eh, but in the meantime smoking is still legal and you can't control what others do. If it's really that severe, why make yourself sick just to prove a point?

Exactly my point. I can choose to walk away from it...but a baby in a crib CAN'T!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Exactly my point. I can choose to walk away from it...but a baby in a crib CAN'T!

I don't think anyone is arguing that babies in cribs can't walk. Or that smoking around children is a good thing. But you're clearly up in arms about THIS issue because of how it effected YOU as a child. It's understandable, but not justification for making a legal activity illegal in one's own home.

[island40]

NO!!! Why don't you just have big brother ban trans-fat, plastic containers, roller skates and cover children's rooms with pillows instead of wallpaper. Better not have beer in front of those under 21's either, you might corrupt them since you are a parent and can talk with them - unlike the TV, Movies, Magazines and UTube which just corrupts them period!!

[starzrn]

I don't think anyone is arguing that babies in cribs can't walk. Or that smoking around children is a good thing. But you're clearly up in arms about THIS issue because of how it effected YOU as a child. It's understandable, but not justification for making a legal activity illegal in one's own home.

Is it justifiable to make it illegal in one's own car? You make it sound like it's so far-fetched!

The majority on this thread have been affected by it from those who smoked in their home...it's not just me!

[island40]

Originally Posted by hiddencatRN

If you're that sensitive to cigarette smoke, maybe you should wear a gas mask?

No, I should have the right to NOT...thank you!

Why do you think you should have more rights than me?? What make you more important?

[LaughingRN]

I don't think anyone is arguing that babies in cribs can't walk. Or that smoking around children is a good thing. But you're clearly up in arms about THIS issue because of how it effected YOU as a child. It's understandable, but not justification for making a legal activity illegal in one's own home.

Thank you.

I asked earlier if you had read 1984 (however at 1am, I incidentally labeled it "1987". Embarrassing because I have read my copy half a dozen times, but sleepiness does strange things... but I digress)

You should read it if you haven't. Orwell was a satirical genius.

And to clarify upfront to naysayers, no, I do not think that making "smoking in homes with children illegal", parallels the Orwellian tale, but I do think that proposing such laws (and suggesting children report their own parents, and training them to do such) a most slippery slope.

One needs only to use imagination to foresee that if such a law is created, it must and will open the door to many more similar laws (see all previous posters that have brought to light other harming activities). Shall we compare it to the ridiculous manner in which civil lawsuits (frivolous lawsuits) have blossomed. Once you set precedence in one case, you set it in all similar cases.

Nobody. Not one person has disagreed that smoking with children is bad.

But are we not capable of looking at the larger social factors involved, and instead of playing jury, judge and executioner...Use intelligent education to change this????

Leslie made some most excellent suggestions for some great ideas for getting the information out there.

So instead of ripping apart families at the seams, creating more disparities for our low-income friends, creating a more suffocating world with more imposing rules...

Let's educate people, it's a least worth a shot!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Is it justifiable to make it illegal in one's own car? You make it sound like it's so far-fetched!

The majority on this thread have been affected by it from those who smoked in their home...it's not just me!

I've read the whole thread and it didn't seem like a majority of the posters were agreeing with you, let alone recounting similar experiences.

And fwiw, we've traditionally had fewer rights in our cars than in our homes. Many states have seatbelt laws and the search and seizure laws are different for a car than for a home.

[FF-PHRN]

Starzrn, do you have any kids? Not nieces or nephews or cats or dogs or whatever, but your own kids.

[starzrn]

I've read the whole thread and it didn't seem like a majority of the posters were agreeing with you, let alone recounting similar experiences.

And fwiw, we've traditionally had fewer rights in our cars than in our homes. Many states have seatbelt laws and the search and seizure laws are different for a car than for a home.

The majority who lived with parents who smoked??

[starzrn]

Starzrn, do you have any kids? Not nieces or nephews or cats or dogs or whatever, but your own kids.

yes. 2 grown boys. I have been married for 28 years to a wonderful guy:D

[FF-PHRN]

I've tried to put a little humor with my reponses earlier ( I guess only I think I am funny) but the point I am getting at along with some others here is simple. You are suggesting a level of intrusion into ones home that no one wants and opens a door to a far greater intrusion. You seem very passionate to this and you are entitled. Making laws to things you think are wrong is the wrong approach. I could easily go on an obesity rant suggesting laws protecting kids and parents from themselves but why. Education is the best way and let people make their own decisions...they are entitled.

I know what you are gonna say is what about the innocent children that have no choice... well, thats why I asked if you have kids. Coming between me and my kids and how I choose to raise them is a good way to get a very bad response. No new laws, we have more than enough as it is. Educate, I say, as nurses we can and should be.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

The majority who lived with parents who smoked??

Ok...but that's not the majority of those responding to the thread.