What do people think of parents who smoke in front of their children?

Question

I personally can't believe the amount of people who puff away in front of their poor kids/babies, they are a disgrace!

I am delighted to see the huge majority of people agree with me, I have moved to Ireland recently and it is such a joy to go out without us having to be the outcasts because we don't want to smoke or let our kids near smoke! I find smokers have this incredible reaction about what good parents they are in other ways! As a child my mum smoked and I suffered terribly from brochitis and always had allergies, but she never listened, just like some of the parents that have answered today! Why don't they sit down and gently ask their children if they would prefer they didn't smoke! I will tell you why, because they can't quit, and the urge to smoke is far greater than their love and concern towards their kids, It makes my stomach turn and my heart ache! I really wish people would stop smoking and make the world a happier place for their kids!
I do think the parents who do not smoke in the house are the most unselfesh type of smokers, but obviously in an ideal world no one would smoke!

Answer 1

I think anyone who smokes around children, especially where the children can not escape the second hand smoke, should ne charged with child neglect and child endangerment.

Answer 2

Depends what you mean by children. My mum smokes in front of me - I am 22 should she be whipped?

I smoke but never in the same room as my child but when he's older (like 5+) he will be in real situations where people are smoking and that's just something that we will have to deal with.

Ever since he was 10 days old we've been for walks through town, I regularly gag at the stench of cars and buses. I can't shield him from everything.

There are bigger scarier things we should be protecting them from.

On the other hand I wouldn't sit in the same room as him smoking on a daily basis but I'm not going to hide it away as he gets older.

Answer 3

I think it's awful and I am a former smoker. There are too many respiratory problems that come with kids that are raised around people that smoke including asthma and other allergies. I don't have anything against anyone that chooses to smoke but don't do it around the kids. They don't have a choice but to inhale your second hand smoke.

Answer 4

Well, I personally can't believe a parent would try to hide from / deceive their children by never ever smoking in front of them. From personal experience, I can tell you it doesn't actually influence a kid's decision to start smoking (both my mother and stepfather _always_ smoked in front of me; I not only never became a smoker; right now I wouldn't admit even my mom to smoke inside my flat - on the balcony, yes, but not inside. Just _hate_ the smell of it). My brother, on the other hand, gave in to peer pressure and started smoking on a summer camp.

There is also a great number of kids who start smoking, despite the fact that their parents don't smoke at all.

I am a firm supporter of being absolutely truthful with one's kids, otherwise finding the truth is a severe blow that can sever the connection for years.

Answer 5

I am a smoker, and I have 2 wonderful children, and I agree with you 100%.

I do not, and have never smoked near on in front of my children. My choice is my choice and knowing the dangers of smoking, I do not want to subject them to the dangers of a choice that I made, and am continuing to make.

I never smoke in the car or in the house, I do not take them places where people smoke in their house. We do not go and visit my father for this reason. He smokes in his house, and refuses to smoke outside when we're there ( he said it's his house, and he smoked in the house when we were kids and we're fine), so we don't go.

I take every precaution to make sure that my children aren't exposed to smoke. I have a certain sweater that I wear when I smoke outside, and I leave it outside. I always wash my hands and face afterwards..

I realize that the best thing would be for me to quit. I am not going to dilude myself into thinking that it's okay because I do it outside, but I'm not in the place yet where I even want to quit. So, in the meantime, until I'm there.. I make sure that my sons' don't pay for my mistake.

Answer 6

Alright look I smoke and I smoke around my child. I didn't when he was younger but I do know. I guess you guys will say how bad I am or I am going to hell. Guess what, I spank too......I guess thats makes me a horrible mom.

Guess what people the world is a strange horrible place and it all depends on how you raise your child as to how they turn out. Raise them to be good people and don't worry about the rest.

I am so sick of these judgemental people on here. Don't smoke, don't spank, don't do this and don't do that. Get a freakin grip.

Answer 7

While I have nothing against people that smoke, I do agree that smoking around children is setting an example to smoke. Not that you can't tell them over and over that it is bad for you, because you can. But actions speak much louder than words. So I guess as long as you realize that by smoking in front of your children, you are increasing the chances that they will smoke, have at it.

Answer 8

While it is their choice to smoke, it is my choice to get annoyed when people smoke in front of my children. I think that if someone smokes, they should be polite enough NOT to smoke in front of other people - let alone children. Second hand smoke can also cause lung cancer etc and just because a person likes to smoke doesn't give them the right to subject other people to the smoke as well! If somene does do it and ignores my glares, then I move with my children to a different spot and tell my children that we are moving as someone is being inpolite and smoking in front of other people!

Answer 9

Gross, gross, gross.. That's what I think.

I heavily smoked.. before I got pregnant with my first son.. I quit the day I found out that I was pregnant.. The way I look at it he saved my life!... My husband quit too..

I am so disgusted by women who smoke when they are pregnant.. and parents.. or people in general that smoke around kids.. you are making a choice to ruin the health of perfectly innocent kids..

Being told to be prepared to give up EVERYTHING for your children is no joke.. it should be easy to give up something that can harm them..

Answer 10

I don't have children, but i do have a little brother. I'm the only member of my family that smokes and do so outside. He knows about all the pitfalls of smoking, i tell him its dangerous and smelly etc. Sometimes seeing someone else you love doing it doesn't make you want to, but puts you off entirely.
Saying this i firmly believe that if i were to fall pregnant now i would stop smoking immediately and not look back.

Answer 11

I agree. Parents who smoke are selfish and unhealthy. It is a big form of neglect. They don't care about exposure and claim that they only smoke outside. Studies show that even if they smoke outside, the toxins still linger on clothing and children still get a big dose of smoke. I notice that parents who smoke actually let their kids eat more junk food and processed food. Because they aren't health conscious. Smoking is just a symbol of trash. I agree with you. Such a disgrace!