Smoking around children & infants - should it be illegal?

[Mummy1988]

I was out with my DS this afternoon, and while I was going to the ATM I noticed a woman standing at the bus stop right by the ATM. She had a very newborn baby in her arms (and he/she was still wrapped in the hospital blanket), and she was smoking. She also had a toddler with her, who she kept telling to 'shut up' everytime he tried to ask her something.

She was making no attempt to even blow the smoke away from her newborn baby's face.
The baby didn't appear to be distressed by it, but that's not really the point.

It made me so angry. And it made me wonder why smoking around babies and children isn't illegal. It's illegal to smoke in a pub, or on a beach, but it's not illegal to smoke directly in a newborns face.

I'm interested to hear what other people think.

[Fuchsia!]

Yes it should be illegal

[~*clairesmum*~]

No i dont think it should be as MOST people would be smart enough not to smoke while having a baby arms.

You cant smoke in the car with a child under the age of 16.

I think its cruel and mean to smoke while holding a baby, but i dont see if the baby was say in a pram etc...

[sam's mum]

this is off topic, so don't tell the other mods....

My niece has been complaining (she is 17) that one of her male friends who is 17, is dating a 15 year old.

whenever he wants to smoke he is to stop the car and get out.

I find it refreshing that he actually does it rather than flouting the law.

for what it is worth, I wish it was illegal to smoke around children.

policing it is another matter.

[Pax]

SO WHAT do smokers do when their kids follow them outside ?

or should we lock them in screaming while we smoke?

[Nowhere]

SO WHAT do smokers do when their kids follow them outside ?

or should we lock them in screaming while we smoke?


Lol you could always wait til they are in bed, but actualy that would suck as the mood would be horrendous.

I dont think smoking should be ilegal but stupidity shopuld be, If people use there comon sense about things they often are not an issue.

The only person that we see that smokes is BIL he is fantastic he walks ages away from DD to smoke, he is very curtious.

[sam's mum]

SO WHAT do smokers do when their kids follow them outside ?

or should we lock them in screaming while we smoke?

in my ideal world the smoke would be put out until the child wasn't there.

My opinion is coloured. DD1 at her last test at the mater only had 37% lung function. she has had collapsed lungs. I watched her struggle for breath with her lips blue. If I had my way, we would never have to walk through smoke to get into a shopping centre. We would never have to walk through smoke in a carpark.

Reality is that we need to vigilant, keep up the meds, hope that they work and pray that her lungs stay inflated.

[zephani]

YES it should be illegal!

It should also be illegal to smoke outside of shopping centres. I hate it when you've been inside shopping and you walk out into a haze of smoke.


I find it refreshing that he actually does it rather than flouting the law.

:iagree: This is very refreshing!

[Nowhere]

in my ideal world the smoke would be put out until the child wasn't there.

My opinion is coloured. DD1 at her last test at the mater only had 37% lung function. she has had collapsed lungs. I watched her struggle for breath with her lips blue. If I had my way, we would never have to walk through smoke to get into a shopping centre. We would never have to walk through smoke in a carpark.

Reality is that we need to vigilant, keep up the meds, hope that they work and pray that her lungs stay inflated.

Its hard isnt it, in a perfect world there would be no smoke and new polution but unfortunately not the case so ones like our lil ones have to suffer, I must admit we have seen many people put out smokes out side the shops when i walk throuhg with DD

[sam's mum]

in my ideal world the smoke would be put out until the child wasn't there.

My opinion is coloured. DD1 at her last test at the mater only had 37% lung function. she has had collapsed lungs. I watched her struggle for breath with her lips blue. If I had my way, we would never have to walk through smoke to get into a shopping centre. We would never have to walk through smoke in a carpark.

Reality is that we need to vigilant, keep up the meds, hope that they work and pray that her lungs stay inflated.

grrr. that should have actually said that I HAVE watched her struggle.

you want to know what is really scary. we went to the mater that day thinking we would get a good reading. We thought she was healthy at the time and doing well.

nope, she has adapted to it and abnormal has become normal.

her rib cage has changed shape because her diaphragm is so big just because of how much she has struggled to breath long term.

[Fuchsia!]

SO WHAT do smokers do when their kids follow them outside ?

or should we lock them in screaming while we smoke?

You put it out or move away, or sneak out and have one.

If they still don't stop, ask them to show you how they do cartwheels on the lawn away from you or tell them you want to see them ride their bike or get a ball and keep throwing it.

[Pinkzy]

SO WHAT do smokers do when their kids follow them outside ?

or should we lock them in screaming while we smoke?

Don't let them follow you outside, simple.

My husband's daughter used to try and follow me out to the courtyard (we live in a townhouse) when I'd be going out for a ciggy and it was simple, I told her not to. If she wanted to go outside and play she could go out the front (fully fenced, secure, private etc).

Also, if other peoples kids follow you, just tell them you're having a cigarette and stand as far away from them as possible so they don't smell it or come into contact with it.

[crazymuma]

I am a smoker who can honestly say I have never smoked with my children in my arms - really no excuse for it.

People who smoke inside the house with children in it just disgust me.

I smoke outside - if the kids follow me out then they either have to go to the other end of the pergola or back inside - really simple.

[Frankie41]

I absolutely think it should be illegal! And I wish it was policed more!
It's so incredibly selfish, particularly what was described in the OP!
I wish the outside of shopping centres, as well as parks & sports fields were policed more too with hefty fines. I'm sick and tired of having to drag my kids through plumes of smoke going in and out of shopping centres, as well as playing in the park when there are signs CLEARLY stating that they are smoke free zones!!!
It s***s me to no end!!!
There is absolutely NO excuse for smoking around kids! You're putting their health at risk for your addiction. Smokers should have the decency and respect to put it out if there are kids around! Better yet, give it up.

A bad mood is absolutely no justification for compromising childrens and babies health!!! Practice a little self control!!

[Sheer Bliss]

SO WHAT do smokers do when their kids follow them outside ?

or should we lock them in screaming while we smoke?

WHAT do you do?? The same thing you do if you see them playing with matches, knives or scissors. Remove the danger from them. Simple. You should protect your childre from cigarette smoke in the same way you do from other possible life-threatening things.

[Pinkzy]

I am a smoker who can honestly say I have never smoked with my children in my arms - really no excuse for it.

Same here.

I don't know any smoking mum who's ever or who ever would smoke with a baby/child in their arms.....or inside with children living there for that matter :no:

[florence]

She was making no attempt to even blow the smoke away from her newborn baby's face.


That is so disgusting! Man that makes me so angry :banghead:

[Theophania]

I am a smoker who can honestly say I have never smoked with my children in my arms - really no excuse for it.

People who smoke inside the house with children in it just disgust me.

I smoke outside - if the kids follow me out then they either have to go to the other end of the pergola or back inside - really simple.

:iagree: Smoking is my choice, and I am choosing to effect my health but I will not effect the health of innocent people around me, especially children. I am pregnant at the moment so I am not smoking but I am sure I will take it up again and there is no way I would ever smoke around my children. When DS was a baby I would wait unitl he was asleep or busy with someone else to sneak out for a ciggie.

[The Fox]

:barf: That is so wrong, how could you put your child at risk like that
I also find it disgusting when people smoke when pregnant makes me sick to my stomach

[Pinkzy]

I'm pregnant and smoke. I've cut down significantly, which both myself, my ob and my loved ones are very proud of :) I've been in control enough to cut down, but not enough to entirely quit. It sucks, yeah, but I don't stress myself out about it anymore.

Would I ever smoke with a child in my arms though? Or inside the house whilst a child lives here?.....or even where a child was close enough to me to smell it or be affected by it? No way. Not in a million years.

That is something *I* do have control of - there is no need for me to smoke around a child as I easily can move away from them.

[SassyMummy]

Yes it should be.

I am not very tolerant of smoking.

[Frankie41]

Are you all aware that in something like 98% of SIDS cases there was atleast one parent that smoked?

I really don't understand why people do it, or why people smoke when pregnant. I really don't want to offend anyone, but how is it worth even considering the risk??
I just can't comprehend it.

[The Fox]

I'm pregnant and smoke. I've cut down significantly, which both myself, my ob and my loved ones are very proud of :) I've been in control enough to cut down, but not enough to entirely quit. It sucks, yeah, but I don't stress myself out about it anymore.


Good on you for at least cutting down :yelclap:
Dont want to offend but im just really curious, how is smoking when pregnant different to smoking around a baby, again not trying to offend but my SIL smoked when pregnant, didnt cut down at all and her baby was born last week and she hasnt touched a cigarette since, i cant figure that one out

[*Chels*]

Look,I am a smoker,have been for 10 years.
BUT I do not smoke around kids.I would NEVER smoke with a child in my arms.I would NEVER smoke inside my home.
If I go outside to have a smoke,my kids always follow(they love the backyard) I will stay away from them
To not even try NOT to blow smoke in a baby face is soooooo wrong IMO.
Smokers get a bad rap,thats for sure.
But there are smokers like me who are considerate and do not smoke around kids,dont smoke in their cars with kids,and dont hang around shopping centre entrances blowing it in ppl's faces!

[Pinkzy]

Good on you for at least cutting down :yelclap:
Dont want to offend but im just really curious, how is smoking when pregnant different to smoking around a baby, again not trying to offend but my SIL smoked when pregnant, didnt cut down at all and her baby was born last week and she hasnt touched a cigarette since, i cant figure that one out

Thanks :)

I'm not sure how it's different...but for me the control element comes into it. I can't control my addiction, not to the point where I've been able to stop entirely. But once bub is out, I have control over whether he'll be exposed to it and absolutely won't be doing it around or anywhere near him. I don't know if that makes sense or not but to me it does :laughing:

Maybe your SIL's birth of her child was the final straw that made it possible for her to give up? I've heard of women who've smoked all throughout their pregnancies, but the minute they have their baby, they're able to stop. Cold turkey too, no intervention needed :) I'd love it if that happened to me. I'm hoping it will to be honest.

[Mummy1988]

Good on you for at least cutting down :yelclap:
Dont want to offend but im just really curious, how is smoking when pregnant different to smoking around a baby, again not trying to offend but my SIL smoked when pregnant, didnt cut down at all and her baby was born last week and she hasnt touched a cigarette since, i cant figure that one out

I was also wondering how smoking while pregnant is different to smoking around a child. In my opinion, smoking while pregnant may even be worse, as the child is directly affected with every puff.

If you smoke when you are pregnant the combination of carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes makes it harder for your baby to get the oxygen and nourishment it needs. Smoking places stress on the baby's heart and affects the development of its lungs.
Pregnant smokers risk having a low weight baby, which will be more vulnerable to infection and other health problems. Plus, the baby of a smoker is more likely to die at or shortly after birth.


I'm not trying to make you feel bad Pinkvanillaz - and I think it's great that you've cut down, but I guess I just don't understand how smoking while pregnant is different to smoking around a baby.
I have also never been a smoker, never had one puff, so I don't know what it's like to be addicted, and not be able to stop. So I'm not judging, because I have no idea what it's like for you.


I hope that you do manage to quit once your baby is born, for your little one's health, for your own as well, so you can be there to watch her grow up.

My 24 yr old cousin died from lung cancer last year. She'd only been smoking for 3 years.

I guess I'm just not very tolerant towards smoking since that happened.

[Pax]

I'm pregnant and smoke. I've cut down significantly, which both myself, my ob and my loved ones are very proud of :) I've been in control enough to cut down, but not enough to entirely quit. It sucks, yeah, but I don't stress myself out about it anymore.

Would I ever smoke with a child in my arms though? Or inside the house whilst a child lives here?.....or even where a child was close enough to me to smell it or be affected by it? No way. Not in a million years.

That is something *I* do have control of - there is no need for me to smoke around a child as I easily can move away from them.

I was a very judgemental person of people that smoked during pregnancy because i never did for my first 4.

i then fell pregnant 4 times after my 4th just to loose each one.. each time i quit smoking.

this baby i had 13 months ago, when i found out i was pregnant, i was very 'to care' and said, even out loud, well i will just miscarry anyway so i am not quitting this time.

i smoked all the way through her pregnancy and i believe that it is POSSIBLE that i miscarried the others due to the stress of quitting.

but anyways my beautiful baby arrived at 7lb 1oz.. which is small for my babies.. but she is healthy and incredibly smart and so much fun. She is now 13 months old and developing, I believe, normally.

[Pinkzy]

It's probably no different, I don't know..

but not smoking around a baby once he/she is out of the womb is better than to continue smoking around him/her :) Which is why most women who smoked during pregnancy would never smoke around a child. Just common sense really.

I'm really sorry for your loss :( That is heartbreaking.

[Pax]

It's probably no different, I don't know..

but not smoking around a baby once he/she is out of the womb is better to continue smoking around him/her :) Which is why most women who smoked during pregnancy would never smoke around a child. Just common sense really.


i quit for 5 months after my baby was born...:D then had a massive anxiety attack and started again :crying:

so she had 5 smoke free months to start her life with.

except hubby smoked but i would scream at him if he came near her without washing his hands and changing his shirt

and no i have never smoked while holding a child. but they do come outside and wander around when i do. so i try to only smoke out in the yard that way they are wandering around in the open air.

[Pinkzy]

I was a very judgemental person of people that smoked during pregnancy because i never did for my first 4.

i then fell pregnant 4 times after my 4th just to loose each one.. each time i quit smoking.

this baby i had 13 months ago, when i found out i was pregnant, i was very 'to care' and said, even out loud, well i will just miscarry anyway so i am not quitting this time.

i smoked all the way through her pregnancy and i believe that it is POSSIBLE that i miscarried the others due to the stress of quitting.

but anyways my beautiful baby arrived at 7lb 1oz.. which is small for my babies.. but she is healthy and incredibly smart and so much fun. She is now 13 months old and developing, I believe, normally.

:yes: Yep - absolutely. My friend (and her TWO obs) believe she miscarried in 2007 due to the stress her body underwent when she gave up smoking at 14 weeks pregnant.

She smoked throughout her next pregnancy and her bubby was a very similar birthweight to yours :) and thriving.

That's not to say I encourage women to smoke when pregnant and hey....to any woman who can give up or cut down...FULL respect to you :D But to the ones who can't quit, you have my empathy and understanding as I know what it's like :o

[Pinkzy]

5 months is BRILLIANT!!! Well done Morrigan, seriously!!! If I could even stop for 5 days let alone 5 months I'd be feeling pretty damn proud :)

[Leeee]

h3ll yes! yes it should def be illegal. i'm one of the most anti-smoking people there is and dp is a smoker :barf:

[BabelFish]

Yes.

[bumMum]

no i dont think it should be illegal. most people are not that bloody stupid. that woman sounds like she needs a good slap honestly.
but most people who smoke "around" children don't do it while actually holding a child or standing right next to one..
passive smoking is harmful, but not in the sense that if you get a whiff of cigarette smoke blow in your direction you will get cancer and I do think some people are too anal about these things. I think if we ban that, we will have to ban people feeding their children mcdonalds or coke.. or making any other choice which is not ideal. I think anyone who intentionally or just idiotically lets their cigarette smoke blow in their child's face should be pulled up on it though.

[Mum2Mimi]

sorry i cant understand the smoking while preg thing either,i was a pack a day 25+ ciggies for 6years,the min i found out i was preg frm an at home test i was so in shock i went outside and lit a ciggerate and took one puff and thought 'hold on a min,what am i thinking im pregnat' i ditched the ciggerate,went around house got all the lighters smashed them up and thru them and my ciggies and quit cold turkey,no way was i gunna smoke while preg,yes i struggled for 3days with cravings but had a supportive partner and jus kept telling myself i dont need it its not life or death if i dont get one and thought about my unborn child and that kept me on straight and narrow,unfortunatley though i started back up a few months ago when dd was 16months,she now 19months and im kicking myself for it and finding it extremly hard to quit and the mood swings are sooo bad!

My dd will follow me outside,if i close sliding door she will scream,buut i dont stand near her and if she comes near me il ask her to go get herr ball or bubba or something so she toddles off and moves awway lol

[Jesska]

I absolutely think it should be illegal! And I wish it was policed more!
It's so incredibly selfish, particularly what was described in the OP!
I wish the outside of shopping centres, as well as parks & sports fields were policed more too with hefty fines. I'm sick and tired of having to drag my kids through plumes of smoke going in and out of shopping centres, as well as playing in the park when there are signs CLEARLY stating that they are smoke free zones!!!
It s***s me to no end!!!
There is absolutely NO excuse for smoking around kids! You're putting their health at risk for your addiction. Smokers should have the decency and respect to put it out if there are kids around! Better yet, give it up.

A bad mood is absolutely no justification for compromising childrens and babies health!!! Practice a little self control!!


I totually agree with you here!!!!

[The Fox]

Thanks :)

I'm not sure how it's different...but for me the control element comes into it. I can't control my addiction, not to the point where I've been able to stop entirely. But once bub is out, I have control over whether he'll be exposed to it and absolutely won't be doing it around or anywhere near him. I don't know if that makes sense or not but to me it does :laughing:

Maybe your SIL's birth of her child was the final straw that made it possible for her to give up? I've heard of women who've smoked all throughout their pregnancies, but the minute they have their baby, they're able to stop. Cold turkey too, no intervention needed :) I'd love it if that happened to me. I'm hoping it will to be honest.
I hope once your bub is born you can quit too, good luck


sorry i cant understand the smoking while preg thing either,i was a pack a day 25+ ciggies for 6years,the min i found out i was preg frm an at home test i was so in shock i went outside and lit a ciggerate and took one puff and thought 'hold on a min,what am i thinking im pregnat' i ditched the ciggerate,went around house got all the lighters smashed them up and thru them and my ciggies and quit cold turkey,no way was i gunna smoke while preg,yes i struggled for 3days with cravings but had a supportive partner and jus kept telling myself i dont need it its not life or death if i dont get one and thought about my unborn child and that kept me on straight and narrow,

Yep, i was the same, smoked a pack a day for 5 years and I did the same thing when i found out i was pregnant, DS was a surprise so i was shocked, i went outside lit a cigarette smoked it thought wtf, and i havent touched a smoke since, not one teeny puff nothing, its been over a year :smiliedance:

[Boobycino]

I think its about time smoking was illegal full stop.

Considering most smokers (thats I've talked to, I dont know the entire smoking population) are trying to quit or planning to quit but cannot - its only seems like a small portion of the population who would actually be upset if smoking was banned, so, I think it should be illegal in general.

I think it should be illegal also to smoke on balaconies of apartment buildings, because if my kitchen window is open and downstairs are smoking, it comes into my kitchen. Last night my kitchen smelled oddly like pot - HMMMMMMMMMMMM...... Actually wait a minute... that IS illegal! :rolleyes: :laughing:

I know it wont stop everyone from smoking and I know :ecomcity: its peoples right to kill themselves, while making themselves smell bad and cost themselves a lot of money - but... anyway... I know its not gonna happen.... but... I can dream, cant I?

[our3boys]

yes i think it should be illegal for sure but im anti smoking i think it should be full stop, my son was born with a heart defect and also has asthma so smoking around him is a def no no.

[MummaBear03]

Lol you could always wait til they are in bed, but actualy that would suck as the mood would be horrendous.

I dont think smoking should be ilegal but stupidity shopuld be, If people use there comon sense about things they often are not an issue.

The only person that we see that smokes is BIL he is fantastic he walks ages away from DD to smoke, he is very curtious.

If people used their commonsense more (which is sadly not very common after all) we wouldn't need to have laws for everything :(

Yes, to protect those with parents who suffer from stupidity or lack of respect for their tiny little lungs, I think it should be illegal. It's not illegal in Qld yet to smoke in a car with children. I think it should be illegal to smoke in a house or a car regardless of whether there are children or not because you never know when you might be asked to collect a child or babysit a child, etc. Even the lingering chemicals that are left behind can be dangerous.

[Izy]

I think it should be illegal also to smoke on balaconies of apartment buildings, because if my kitchen window is open and downstairs are smoking, it comes into my kitchen. Last night my kitchen smelled oddly like pot - HMMMMMMMMMMMM...... Actually wait a minute... that IS illegal! :rolleyes: :laughing:


I'd prefer it smelling like pot than cigarettes :laughing:

The part of me that hates smoking would love to see it illegal, but at the same time I understand that addiction is something unbelievably difficult to overcome for some so I know it wouldn't be humane to do this. Although... is it humane to have children exposed to a known carcinogen.

[sam's mum]

If people used their commonsense more (which is sadly not very common after all) we wouldn't need to have laws for everything :(

Yes, to protect those with parents who suffer from stupidity or lack of respect for their tiny little lungs, I think it should be illegal. It's not illegal in Qld yet to smoke in a car with children. I think it should be illegal to smoke in a house or a car regardless of whether there are children or not because you never know when you might be asked to collect a child or babysit a child, etc. Even the lingering chemicals that are left behind can be dangerous.

yes it is. It came in from 1 January.

I have seen one car pulled over with the kids inside while the parents have a smoke. :yelclap: I wonder if they did that before the law changed. :detective:

[delirium]

Why must we call for illegalisation of any little thing we find unagreeable?

I am a smoker. I have NEVER smoked while holding my kids, I don't smoke in the car with them EVER, I smoke outside and they are not allowed near me when I smoke.

Unfortunately there are irresponsible smokers. But there are also those that feed their kids constant junk, don't supervise their kids properly, don't socialise them properly :ecomcity:

I've said it so many times - most parents are trying to do the best job they can possibly do with the resources they have. Making every little thing illegal doesn't stop anything, it just marginalises and forces people to do stuff they will always do no matter what people say, behind closed doors.

[Janesmum123]

Why must we call for illegalisation of any little thing we find unagreeable?

I am a smoker. I have NEVER smoked while holding my kids, I don't smoke in the car with them EVER, I smoke outside and they are not allowed near me when I smoke.

Unfortunately there are irresponsible smokers. But there are also those that feed their kids constant junk, don't supervise their kids properly, don't socialise them properly :ecomcity:

I've said it so many times - most parents are trying to do the best job they can possibly do with the resources they have. Making every little thing illegal doesn't stop anything, it just marginalises and forces people to do stuff they will always do no matter what people say, behind closed doors.

I agree 100%.
I never smoked in the car or in the house but on a Friday afternoon after I've worked a 40 hour week plus cooked, cleaned, taken DD to sports, did the washing and my uni work I would like to sit down and have a bloody glass of chardonnay and a ciggie thank you very much! And I will fight black and blue for my right to remain. (ohh I'm preggos now so no smoking or drinking for me so I'm a little sensitive on the issue)..:D

[trishalishous]

I actually wrote a paper on this, but I cant find it, and I cant access the uni database to find my references.
From what I remember:
- Smoking has strong links to sids
- The effects last for 2 generations (if grandparent smoked when pregnant, grandchild has higher risk of asthma etc even if the parents are nonsmokers)
- Smoking when breastfeeding is as bad as smoking with the child in your arms/womb
- for ~30 minutes after smoking our lungs continue to pump out the toxins (I cant remember the specifics) so smoking outside then coming and holding the baby is as bad as smoking with the child in the room
- There was some early data linking smoking with behavioural problems, and crime in later life, but from what I remember they couldnt confirm that it wasnt just socio-economic influences (smokers are likely to be from lower socio-economic backgrounds)

Thats just off the top of my head, ill check out my references.
My mother is currently quitting smoking as she knows that she cant be around our child while she is a smoker. Shes finding it hard going, she started at 15 and is now 50, but she did quit when preg with us first two kids, and due to enormous stress could only cut back with my little sis (who is disabled, which my mum blames on the smoking)

/essay

[soexcited]

It really disturbs me when I see people smoking around kids. Last week I saw a mum pushing a double stroller with a baby and another young child in it and a little girl about 4 trailing less than a metre behind her and the whole time she was puffing on a cigarette. I was walking the dogs and had to do a run so I was far away as so as to restrain myself from saying something to her.

I used to smoke and was smoking when I found out about DS. Had been trying to quit the whole time I was trying to get pregnant but was struggling so badly. Once I found out I was pregnant though I was able to quit fairly easily because I didn't want to expose my unborn child to it and wasn't really a heavy smoker (would not smoke all day during the week until I got home as I hated seeing clients at work when I stunk like cigarettes). My DH still smokes a bit and has just told me for the umpteenth time that he is quitting after this weekend. I think he is sick of me telling him that he stinks and that if he loves our child he would quit. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that if you smoke you don't love your children but as I say to my DH smoking increase his chances of all sorts of health problems and our son would not want to lose his dad prematurely, nor do I want to lose my husband.

[Pinkzy]

I don't think it should become illegal, I'd think that even if I wasn't a smoker. If smoking became illegal, then alcohol would need to follow I think. Both are unhealthy, both have the potential to (and often do) become addictive and both are expensive. This is the reason neither will ever become illegal in my opinion, they are just such good/easy forms of tax for the govt. Although, it is good that both cigs and booze come with adequate warnings and it's also good that help is available for those wanting to give up.

I was pleased to see that smoking in cars with kids under 16 became illegal - well overdue I think!! I also hope the police enforce this law whenever they can. I still think the "No Smoking Within 4m Of Shopping Entrances" should be changed to 10 or even 15m though. 4m isn't good enough in my opinion as people who do not smoke are still exposed to the sight and smell others who smoke.

[Lemonhead]

I dont know if it should be illegal or not. If cigarette smoking is illegal perhaps drinking alcohol around children should be illegal too. No, it doesnt physically harm them but drunk and abusive parents do.

It irks me anyways. I remember seeing a woman heavily pregnant at the hospital after my 2nd D&C smoking like a chimney and I just couldnt understand why she got a healthy baby and I didnt.

[mum2bubba]

That mother sound disgusting.

[HelenHasTwins]

YES it should be illegal!

It should also be illegal to smoke outside of shopping centres. I hate it when you've been inside shopping and you walk out into a haze of smoke.





OH I hate this also....stupid place to put the smokers...because as you said, we cop it in the face as we are walking in....nice ....not:no:

[Pinkzy]

She was smoking at a hospital?? I thought that was illegal now?

It's definitely illegal to smoke at both my nearest public and private hospitals that's for sure. The private hospital I'm going to has extremely strict policies about it - you're not even allowed to smoke at the FRONT of the hospital (as in not only the outside of reception, but even outside the actual front where the hospital sign is).

[IndigoJ]

I was also wondering how smoking while pregnant is different to smoking around a child. In my opinion, smoking while pregnant may even be worse, as the child is directly affected with every puff.

If you smoke when you are pregnant the combination of carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes makes it harder for your baby to get the oxygen and nourishment it needs. Smoking places stress on the baby's heart and affects the development of its lungs.
Pregnant smokers risk having a low weight baby, which will be more vulnerable to infection and other health problems. Plus, the baby of a smoker is more likely to die at or shortly after birth.


I'm not trying to make you feel bad Pinkvanillaz - and I think it's great that you've cut down, but I guess I just don't understand how smoking while pregnant is different to smoking around a baby.
I have also never been a smoker, never had one puff, so I don't know what it's like to be addicted, and not be able to stop. So I'm not judging, because I have no idea what it's like for you.


I hope that you do manage to quit once your baby is born, for your little one's health, for your own as well, so you can be there to watch her grow up.

My 24 yr old cousin died from lung cancer last year. She'd only been smoking for 3 years.

I guess I'm just not very tolerant towards smoking since that happened.


I agree with the bolded part, i dont think smoking while pregnant is less dangerous than smoking after baby is born, I quit during the first 3mths of pregnancy it was so so hard but i stopped because i didnt want to harm my baby any more than what i may have. It scared me. Bub was born a healthy weight though :)


I dont know if it should be illegal or not. If cigarette smoking is illegal perhaps drinking alcohol around children should be illegal too. No, it doesnt physically harm them but drunk and abusive parents do.

It irks me anyways. I remember seeing a woman heavily pregnant at the hospital after my 2nd D&C smoking like a chimney and I just couldnt understand why she got a healthy baby and I didnt.

:iagree::hugs::hugs:

[MagicalLeopluradon]

Yes it should be illegal.

Fair enough if you want to expose yourself to all the chemicals etc from smoking but why put an innocent child through it....it's wrong.

[~ElectricPink~]

Yes it should be illegal!!! Passive smoking does just as much damage, I don't know how anyone could expose an innocent child to this :(

[Lemonhead]

She was smoking at a hospital?? I thought that was illegal now?

It's definitely illegal to smoke at both my nearest public and private hospitals that's for sure. The private hospital I'm going to has extremely strict policies about it - you're not even allowed to smoke at the FRONT of the hospital (as in not only the outside of reception, but even outside the actual front where the hospital sign is).

She was sitting outside the hospital on a park bench.
I was waiting outside for DP to bring the car around and she was just sitting there sucking down her cancer sticks :no: ready to pop too.
DP gets VERY annoyed. We once saw a very heavily pregnant woman outside a club sniffing glue out of a bag :eek::crying: he told her she was "f***ing disgusting and you dont deserve that baby!".

[Theophania]

She was sitting outside the hospital on a park bench.
I was waiting outside for DP to bring the car around and she was just sitting there sucking down her cancer sticks :no: ready to pop too.
DP gets VERY annoyed. We once saw a very heavily pregnant woman outside a club sniffing glue out of a bag :eek::crying: he told her she was "f***ing disgusting and you dont deserve that baby!".

That is so sad. I saw a girl I went to school with once at a night club heavily pregnant and swigging down the rum cans all night, so disgusting!!!

I once saw a pregnant woman sitting in a car with her daughter (probably 3) in a car park smoking in the car with her child, I mean it was bad enough she was smoking while pregnant but she could have at least got out of the and stood outside instead of also exposing her 3 year old to it as well :no:

[Pinkzy]

I don't know why or how pregnant women smoke in public - even as a smoker I don't get how pregnant (especially obviously/heavily pregnant) women smoke anywhere in public. I would find it SO embarrassing!! The judgmental looks, the possible comments from strangers, the fact that it's setting a BAD example for others. The cigarette craving being fulfilled wouldn't be worth the grief you'd get from other people :(

I'm too ashamed to smoke anywhere except my home (outside) or when ONLY in the company of loved ones/friends at their homes. And smoking at a hospital - or anywhere near a hospital is just..well it's wrong. Sick people come in and out of hospitals so why smoke there and expose them to it? If the craving is that bad then walk 50m up/down the road from the hospital where patients/visitors will not be affected by it. If they're well enough to smoke a cigarette then they're well enough to wheel themselves or walk 50m away aren't they?!

I do agree with one thing though...and this is in no way meant to offend anyone here...but nobody will EVER be able to judge a pregnant woman with an addiction more than herself. Nobody will EVER be able to make her feel any worse or any more guilty than she already feels herself. Whether she's addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, glue (?!), anything. As I said in an earlier post, any woman battling nicotine addiction has my absolute empathy, understanding and support :)

[mysonroger]

i have no respect for smokers, and no empathy or sympathy for their excuses (and don't even get me started about the 'considerate' smokers....). so in answer to the original question, yes...it would be great if it was illegal.

[Happy2be3]

Of course it should be illegal:banghead:

[halloweenmum]

Yes.
Children dont have a voice of their own to speak up. until they do, putting them at risk of this or any other potentially harmful environment is almost abuse IMO.

[Pinkzy]

i have no respect for smokers, and no empathy or sympathy for their excuses (and don't even get me started about the 'considerate' smokers....). so in answer to the original question, yes...it would be great if it was illegal.

I don't understand the bold part?

'Considerate' smokers don't light up or smoke around children, they wouldn't do this anywhere near a child or anyone else who isn't a smoker themselves.

'Considerate' smokers follow and respect the guidelines and rules when it comes to where they can and can't smoke. They don't smoke in prohibited areas or where it will will negatively affect anyone else.

'Considerate' smokers are not the ones throwing their cigarette butts (still lit or not) out of car windows or on pavements. They don't litter just because they have a bad habit.

I'm at a loss to what you mean in your above post :confused:

[1+1=5]

yes i think it should be illegal to smoke around children. if you're going to kill yourself smoking then thats your issue, don't make others have to suffer your second-hand smoke/poison.

i would be happy is smoking was illegal in all public areas.

[Happy2be3]

Meh! Its just plain outright disgusting.. I dont think 80% of us (the non smokers) should have to put up with the 20% who do! (in public places)

[trishalishous]

"SMOKING outdoors will be outlawed along entire streets in a Victorian-first trial. Frankston City Council is preparing to impose blanket bans along three busy open-air shopping strips, including opposite the train station.
Lighting up in the designated exclusion zones during the planned six-month trial could cost defiant smokers fines up to $110."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/smoking-outdoors-to-be-outlawed-on-three-busy-frankston-streets/story-e6frf7jo-1225828040127

[mysonroger]

I don't understand the bold part?

'Considerate' smokers don't light up or smoke around children, they wouldn't do this anywhere near a child or anyone else who isn't a smoker themselves.

'Considerate' smokers follow and respect the guidelines and rules when it comes to where they can and can't smoke. They don't smoke in prohibited areas or where it will will negatively affect anyone else.

'Considerate' smokers are not the ones throwing their cigarette butts (still lit or not) out of car windows or on pavements. They don't litter just because they have a bad habit.

I'm at a loss to what you mean in your above post :confused:

smokers forget the most basic thing...the smoke they exhale drifts on out of their little space and on and on into other people's space.....which is why non smokers still have to breathe in the air of even the most 'considerate' smoker. a smoker smokes in their backyard so their house doesn't stink or they think they're doing the right thing by their children (:confused:) but it wafts on into their neighbours houses and yards. i know this from experience.

smokers stand outside a shopping centre because apparently that's considerate and all the innocents have to breathe it all in as they walk into a shopping centre.

you get stuck walking behind smokers in any street and you breathe in all their foul air. IMO, there is no such thing as a considerate smoker....'considerate' is just a word that makes the smoker feel better and allows it to excuse them from being accountable for the damage they do to others.

if there is no consideration towards one's own health, you could hardly expect that person to truly care about anybody else's health.

i'm afraid there will be nothing said on this thread that will swing me towards feeling sympathy for a smoker.

[Happy2be3]

smokers forget the most basic thing...the smoke they exhale drifts on out of their little space and on and on into other people's space.....which is why non smokers still have to breathe in the air of even the most 'considerate' smoker. a smoker smokes in their backyard so their house doesn't stink or they think they're doing the right thing by their children (:confused:) but it wafts on into their neighbours houses and yards. i know this from experience.

smokers stand outside a shopping centre because apparently that's considerate and all the innocents have to breathe it all in as they walk into a shopping centre.

you get stuck walking behind smokers in any street and you breathe in all their foul air. IMO, there is no such thing as a considerate smoker....'considerate' is just a word that makes the smoker feel better and allows it to excuse them from being accountable for the damage they do to others.

if there is no consideration towards one's own health, you could hardly expect that person to truly care about anybody else's health.

i'm afraid there will be nothing said on this thread that will swing me towards feeling sympathy for a smoker.

:iagree: Agree agree agree, couldnt have said it better myself.

I rented a unit once, the guy next door was a 'considerate' smoker who went out the front to smoke.. but guess what? It just wafted right in my front door and it was FERAL! Hated it, felt it was a violation of my right to fresh air:thumbsdown:

[bumMum]

sorry some people are being plain nasty. to say you have no respect for anyone who smokes??
even if they are a good person. just because they have a bad habit. I hope you are perfect.

and there are worse pollutants. car exhausts spring to mind. to say that you can't handle the whiff of a cigarette from kilometres away. I don't know. just seems totally pedantic.

[onionskin]

sorry some people are being plain nasty. to say you have no respect for anyone who smokes??
even if they are a good person. just because they have a bad habit. I hope you are perfect.

and there are worse pollutants. car exhausts spring to mind. to say that you can't handle the whiff of a cigarette from kilometres away. I don't know. just seems totally pedantic.

I agree with the above.

[~Temet Nosce~]

sorry some people are being plain nasty. to say you have no respect for anyone who smokes??
even if they are a good person. just because they have a bad habit. I hope you are perfect.

and there are worse pollutants. car exhausts spring to mind. to say that you can't handle the whiff of a cigarette from kilometres away. I don't know. just seems totally pedantic.

:yes:

everyone is causing the enviroment around them to be polluted and dangerous to others in some way. I don't drive and mostly walk everywhere, so I guess I could say that I hate all people who drive and produce stinking exhaust fumes into the air? I don't care what your excuse is, get out and use your legs you lazy so and so, it's not that hard.. :rolleyes: see what I mean.

[Pinkzy]

I'm a considerate smoker...I can honestly say I don't have a problem with mysonroger's or Happy2be3's opinions. Everyone's entitled to "hate" something I guess and like a lot of other people, they hate cigarette smoke. I can also honestly say as a smoker myself, I hate cigarette smoke. I respect myself though :laughing:

My stance on considerate smokers won't change though - I respect them. If smoke is blowing on to somebody kilometers away (which I don't really believe, never heard of that until now lol) then that's a shame - sorry, I honestly can't see someone who's gone out of their way to have a ciggy 100m away from civilisation "annoying" anyone. But the fact is when considerate smokers smoke outside their home, follow the rules about designated smoking areas, do not smoke around kids or others, make sure they are a fair distance away from anyone else, do not just chuck their butts on the ground, and basically go out of their way to keep their habit to themselves and not expose anyone else to it - they really are being as considerate as they can be. Should we be praised for this? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It's a bad habit, I'm not discounting that. But should we be "hated" or "disrespected"? No.

Hate the habit, not the smoker.

[bronny-jane]

smoking does smell, but you dont realise how much until you quit:laughing:.. hanging out the washing, i smell it...

i feel bad about my neighbours, i smoke on my verandah, and her the window next door get shut..even though they smoke too:o

[Teegzie]

I'm a considerate smoker...I can honestly say I don't have a problem with mysonroger's or Happy2be3's opinions. Everyone's entitled to "hate" something I guess and like a lot of other people, they hate cigarette smoke. I can also honestly say as a smoker myself, I hate cigarette smoke. I respect myself though :laughing:

My stance on considerate smokers won't change though - I respect them. If smoke is blowing on to somebody kilometers away (which I don't really believe, never heard of that until now lol) then that's a shame - sorry, I honestly can't see someone who's gone out of their way to have a ciggy 100m away from civilisation "annoying" anyone. But the fact is when considerate smokers smoke outside their home, follow the rules about designated smoking areas, do not smoke around kids or others, make sure they are a fair distance away from anyone else, do not just chuck their butts on the ground, and basically go out of their way to keep their habit to themselves and not expose anyone else to it - they really are being as considerate as they can be. Should we be praised for this? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It's a bad habit, I'm not discounting that. But should we be "hated" or "disrespected"? No.

Hate the habit, not the smoker.

:iagree: totally! My MIL is what I think of as a "considerate" smoker and while I hate that she smokes I don't disrespect her simply for being a smoker as there is more to her than the one addiction!

As far as the question at hand, whether smoking around children should be illegal, I think in an ideal world yes it should be! I'm a realist though and know that enforcing something like that would be very, very difficult, if not impossible!
It's not realistic to make smoking totally illegal, and it will never happen, but I think at least trying to protect other people from the effects of it, especially children, should be encouraged, by law if necissary!

[Happy2be3]

But should we be "hated" or "disrespected"? No.

Hate the habit, not the smoker.

Hey, I agree with you.. I never said anything about hating smokers or disrespecting them :)

Only thing I hate is being in my own backyard and getting a big waft of smoke! OH.. and having to hold my breath for 30 seconds while i enter the shopping centre:detective:

[mysonroger]

sorry some people are being plain nasty. to say you have no respect for anyone who smokes??
even if they are a good person. just because they have a bad habit. I hope you are perfect.

and there are worse pollutants. car exhausts spring to mind. to say that you can't handle the whiff of a cigarette from kilometres away. I don't know. just seems totally pedantic.

i'm not trying to be nasty by saying that i have no respect for smokers....its just how i feel. its not right or wrong. other people are allowed to interpret it as nasty but it won't change how i feel. as i mentioned in my post, i won't be swayed.

i can say with absolute conviction that no one is perfect, and yet i still ain't digging smokers.

and i can't respond to the second paragraph as i never found a reference about whiffing from kilometers away. and i wouldn't want to analyse the comment out of context.

[Pinkzy]

Hey, I agree with you.. I never said anything about hating smokers or disrespecting them :)

Only thing I hate is being in my own backyard and getting a big waft of smoke! OH.. and having to hold my breath for 30 seconds while i enter the shopping centre:detective:

That's fair enough and I absolutely agree with you :yes:

[mysonroger]

oh, and for the record, i never used the word 'hate' either.

[Justboys]

I am a smoker, not heavier at all.... BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do i smoke near my children :no::no:
NEVER HAVE AND NEVER WOULD!
Totally disagree with parents that do, its completley trashy to me!