Parents who smoke indoors and in cars, exposing their children to the smoke- Do you consider this child abuse?

Question

I have a neighbor - all three of her children have breathing problems, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. Two of them have been hospitalized for pneumonia. All of the adults in their house smoke like chimneys (she and her husband live with her parents). I believe this is a form of child endangerment and abuse. In the mean time, she collects government paid healthcare - free of charge because she can't afford regular insurance. Yet, with cigarettes costing nearly $5.00 a pack, she can afford to smoke? Then, to top it off - has the nerve to expect sympathy for having such sickly children. During the last hospitalization, she had some people from church pray around the child's bed - and others called on a prayer chain for the child's recovery. I simply prayed that the children would be removed from such an unhealthy environment. I don't consider that to be such a horrible prayer - they are, afterall, helpless children. Why aren't there laws against this?

Answer 1

I detest the government getting any more involved in families than they already are. But there should at lease be a way for them to be warned that there COULD be trouble and that the money could be cut off. I don't know , kids don't recover well from being removed from parents. Its usually worse than the sickness. But from a moral standpoint, I agree they are selfish and bad parents. Could they be ignorant? I can't imagine that they don't know how bad this is for their kids. I smoke. But I NEVER smoke in front of my kids. I don't smoke in my car or house with them. Has anyone told these people what they are doing is wrong??? But where do we draw the line? Should parents of obese kids be called abusers for serving that fried chicken and french fries to their kids? What about the ones who don't put sunscreen on them? You cant legislate stupidity out of people.

Answer 2

If her children are riddled with breathing problems and have been hospitalized as a result, she and the people she allows to smoke in the presence of her children and in the children's home are endangering the lives of those children. Yes, this then is child abuse and should be reported. It's just the same as parents who have a child with asthma and insist on keeping mangy animals about the house.

Answer 3

I just don't get it. If you spank your child (not beat) you can get in trouble with CPS. Yet if you do something like this--that has physical side effects--you can't. I smoke. I smoke outside. My husband, my son, and I went on a road trip from Ohio to Florida. It was 25 hours worth of a road trip. Yes, I smoked--every time we stopped OUTSIDE the car. I would never smoke with my son in the car. What are these people thinking? When I still smoked in the car (before my son) it bothered me even--just the smoke getting into my eyes, the smell, everything! I can't believe this. Yes, my parents smoked in the house when we were little, I don't have asthma, nor does my sister. BUT--they did not know any better at the time. It was "normal" and the research wasn't there at the time. I would never risk that for my child. I'm so paranoid about it, after I come back inside my house I wash my hands! Ugg...I hate people like that!

Answer 4

It is very sad, and children exposed to second hand smoke cost taxpayers and those who have health insurance a fortune! If you ask me, if someone receives public assistance, it should be put on a card that can not be used to buy alcohol or tobacco, just as food stamps are in most states. It is child abuse, it is child endangerment, but politicians are too worried about the smoker vote to do anything about it. It is really a sad situation.

Answer 5

I wouldn't call it child abuse--but it is stupidity and ignorance on the parents' parts. I've often wondered why any adult wouldn't realize that smoking around a child is dangerous for the child. Especially a newborn. Their lungs are so fragile and have JUST started breating air, yet people continue to smoke around them. Why? What makes people think this is acceptable? Why doesn't their common sense kick in and make them realize, "Hey, he probably can't breathe very well right now?"

Answer 6

I don't know why there are not laws. I completely agree with you. My eight year old daughter has asthma. We do not smoke. Her doctor said smoking is the worst thing to do around her. I won't even let her go to her friend's house who's dad smokes. I hate even taking her in restaurants that do not properly seperate the nonsmoking section. I would have a hard time feeling sorry for your neighbor. I do however feel sorry for the children.

Answer 7

I agree with you completely. The prayer was not heartless, in fact it was honest, and I believe that's what God prefers to hear. I am a smoker, and I hate it. I think about it everyday trying to find the right approach to quitting. But I never smoke indoors or in the car(its illegal in Louisiana to smoke in the car with children anyway). i always wash my hands after each smoke as well. I truly hope to quit very soon. those poor children, the parents will pay one day.

Answer 8

look at this issue from two angles. It is wrong for them to provide the children with an unhealthy environment. on the other hand, as a neighbour who has succeeded in gathering so much data about them, you should be able to woo them into thinking about their actions without making them feel castigated. Remember that different people have different outlooks to life. what is bothersome to you may not be of top priority to them. Communicate to them how you feel, but do so using creative confrontational techniques (read up on them). You have voiced your problem, now do something practical about it, since none of us the respondents can physically be there to help out.

Answer 9

There may be and probably are laws regarding that matter especially if the kids have the respiratory problems you describe. Call the non-emergency number for your local police department. I'm sure they can refer you to the right area or agency. Social Services should get involved with that part of it especially if tax $$ is being spent on medical bills incurred from the adults smoking.

I totally agree with you on this issue. Whatever you do you need to do it anonymously. People get crazy sometimes. Good Luck!

Answer 10

I rant about this all the time!! It infuriates me. It's blatant child endangerment. There's no valid argument to the contrary. It should be considered illiegal to subject a child to second-hand smoke. Thank you for bringing this up. Hooray for Louisiana! Looks like the rest of us need to catch up and start prioritizing children -- maybe, even over animals and business.

For your particular situation, "Tramped" has the right idea.

Answer 11

I absolutely agree, my friend. I have a six year old and have never smoked in front of him. Not just because for his health, but I don't want him getting any ideas from me. I think that people who smoke constantly around their children are either extremely selfish or ignorant, or both. You never know what might happen. Maybe those kids could grow up one day and sue either their parents for causing health problems. Hey, why not?