Should Parents be Banned from Smoking?

Recently, we reported on the California ban on smoking in cars when minors are present. Motorists caught face a fine of up to $100, but can’t be cited unless they are stopped for another infraction. The ban takes effect January 1. California is the third state to pass a law attempting to protect children from secondhand smoke.

I’m actually torn on the issue. We already have laws in place to protect children in cars, such as requiring car safety seats. So this new law is just one addition to protect our precious children. Or is it?

The bill also prohibits smoking in other places, like within 25 feet of a playground and in certain workspaces. And it further restricts the rights of smokers. So are we protecting the rights of non-smokers to not breathe secondhand smoke, or are we just taking away more and more rights from smokers? It’s a fine line to walk, isn’t it?

I am not a smoker. I never have been. My husband quit since we found out we’re having a baby, but he never smoked in the house or in our vehicles when I was present. And he wouldn’t have smoked when our child is in the car.

But what about parents that do? Do they have the right to smoke in their own vehicle? Or do their children’s rights to breathe smoke-free air trump the parent’s right to smoke? A report last year said secondhand smoke is more of a health risk in a car than it is in a home. So whose rights are more important?

Since kids, especially infants, can’t choose not to breathe smoke, a parent should take that into consideration when smoking. But does every parent? No. But neither does every parent make their child stay seated and strapped into a booster or safety seat, even though there are laws to that effect. So, will a ban on smoking in cars really deter a parent who wants to smoke? Probably not, until they actually get hit with a $100 fine. And even then, it may not stop them from repeat offenses.

There’s a heated discussion about this topic going on over at Maya’s Mom, where readers are taking opposite sides of the debate.

So what do you think, is this a worthwhile law? Will it get ignored? Should it even be a law at all? Are we restricting smokers too much? We’d love to hear your opinion.

Source: Yahoo

Photo courtesy of joka2000.

By Becky Scott
Contributing Editor

I am not a smoker. I never have been. My husband quit since we found out we’re having a baby, but he never smoked in the house or in our vehicles when I was present. And he wouldn’t have smoked when our child is in the car.

But what about parents that do? Do they have the right to smoke in their own vehicle? Or do their children’s rights to breathe smoke-free air trump the parent’s right to smoke? A report last year said secondhand smoke is more of a health risk in a car than it is in a home. So whose rights are more important?

Since kids, especially infants, can’t choose not to breathe smoke, a parent should take that into consideration when smoking. But does every parent? No. But neither does every parent make their child stay seated and strapped into a booster or safety seat, even though there are laws to that effect. So, will a ban on smoking in cars really deter a parent who wants to smoke? Probably not, until they actually get hit with a $100 fine. And even then, it may not stop them from repeat offenses.

There’s a heated discussion about this topic going on over at Maya’s Mom, where readers are taking opposite sides of the debate.

So what do you think, is this a worthwhile law? Will it get ignored? Should it even be a law at all? Are we restricting smokers too much? We’d love to hear your opinion.

Source: Yahoo

Photo courtesy of joka2000.

By Becky Scott
Contributing Editor

Comments

[SAHMmy Says]

Laws and fines are good deterrents for those of us with willpower issues--bring 'em on!

[Jennifer]

I'm not a smoker either, but man that sure sounds a bit over the line to me. What about individual rights?

I agree with Pete too, it would really be hard to enforce. It's hard enough for child protective services to help kids in homes with illegal drugs and violence. And they need to focus on the kids in life impacting dangers.

[HondaGrrl]

I am a non smoker who has sometimes been known to sneak a smoke. (Usually in my car when I needed to de-stress after a particularly bad day.) I would NEVER smoke in my car with my kids, and it surprises me that anybody would need to be told that such a thing is bad for their health.

You raise a good point here: if a parent already doesn't care about exposing their child to the risks of second-hand smoke, i'm not sure they'd be that concerned about the possiblity of a fine.

I'm constantly surprised by how many people don't even bother to keep their kids belted in properly....

[Pete]

I'm not sure about a law. It is definitely a very bad idea to allow smoking in a home with small children, but I don't see how it could be enforced. More education from government and the medical community on the dangers of second hand smoke, and especially how it effects children is required. If the smoke makes some children sick enough then legal action is required.