Smoking around kids .... how bad??

flutterby_lil

When I had my son 3 years ago, I would not let my mum hold him until at least an hour after she had a cigarette.

One day when I was weaning him she sent some pureed left over food in some tupperware tubs to my house - I warmed up the food and could smell and indeed taste the smoke in the food - I was disgusted and felt sick. Mum used to smoke in the kitchen. Since that day when I told her she has always gone outside to smoke.

She gave up for 5 years but started again - she says she will never give up again and enjoys it too much. Her choice, but when I have my next baby the rules will still be the same - I am just glad she doesn't smoke in the house.

I would echo what everyone else has said and speak to dad.

FattyBettyBoo

Going to talk to him tomorrow when he collects her. The problem is that he is what can best be described as "awkward". Even if he's been on to her every day about the same thing, he'd still be defensive with me. Or, he'd nod and grunt but not do anything. It's not like he can hide it though, her clothes smell so bad when she comes back it makes me feel sick.

*Louise*

Good luck with the chat, I hope he is receptive to it, and that his gf listens. If she smokes round her own children it does make it more difficult if she hasn't already realised it's not a great thing to do.



It amazes me sometimes how some smokers can always come up with an excuse for their smoking, it may make them feel a bit better but it doesn't really help, especially when friends and family are desperately trying to get through to them.

There are others who never learn - I once went to offer condolences to a family who lost their child to a severe asthma attack....door was opened and the house was packed full of family, many of them smoking - the little brother of the child (who suffers from chronic asthma) was in the house with them all. So sad

meritaten

Good luck hun - I really hope you can get a result here - Post back and let us know?

I have to say that my Son is really anti-smoking (an ex smoker himself he is evangelical about not smoking!) - I childmind his son and if son EVER caught a whiff of tobacco smoke on his his son or in my house, I would be in big trouble!) because I dont smoke in the house or when his son is near - we havent had a problem in four years. It can be done - with consideration by the smoker and a bit of common sense!

charlieann

Mupette wrote: »

Want to read that again...

I didn't say i smoked in the kitchen.

Apoligies, I mis-read your post. Had to re-read it 3 times to properly understand what you wrote.

Buzz1024

FATBALLZ wrote: »

Even living with a smoker is harmful, even if they don't actually smoke around you.

How? please explain

FattyBettyBoo

I would never ever wish an illlness on my DD, but if she had to get a cough then the one that started last night was timed perfectly. Going to open with this ... something like "DD has a cough, quite chesty, so may need cough syrup .... bit worried about smoke..."

FattyBettyBoo

Just an aside ...

Smoking is such an emotive subject. I was brought up by a heavy smoker who smoked in the house, and as such, have strong opinons about smoking. But I do believe that there is a big difference between a considerate smoker and one who isn't, but quite often they get tarred (! sorry) with the same brush.

I think at some point in everyone's life they have been effected by a smoker, and this can make people really cross and strike out. The opposite effect is often that smokers get really defensive and sometimes take offense when none is intended.

My Dad made me laugh the other week. he smoked in the house and stan of smoke all through my childhood (it was the norm back then), but only smokes outdoors now. He is a painter and decorator and has just turned down a job because they smoke 50 a day in the house and it smells and it smells disgusting. Made me smile!!

daska

Buzz1024 wrote: »

How? please explain

There is a concept sometimes referred to as third hand smoke. It's the toxins that remain in clothes, hair, soft furnishings etc after the second hand smoke has dissipated. I think it's important to point out that people who coined this term were attempting to establish why some people had very strict no-smoking bans in their homes and how closely this was linked to perception of dangers and likelihood to give up the smelly sticks etc. I'm not aware of any detailed study that proves or disproves the dangers associated though I have seen claims that it would take trillions of years of licking the floors and sucking the curtains to ingest enough of the toxins to cause a problem.

And there is a study that links smoking parents and sharing beds to increased risk of SIDS - while personally I don't know whether the parents concerned went outside and carried on breathing fresh air for 30 minutes or just stuck their head out of the window for the first exhale, or indeed sat in bed smoking, the study doesn't mention smoking in bed or in the room as the risk, it identifies the parent being a smoker as the risk.

*Beki*

Will probably make some people angry by posting this but I strongly believe that people who smoke shouldn't have children. It is, as you say, the same as other addictions, and nobody sane would dream of having a child whilst addicted to cocaine or any other drug. People believe that cigarettes are not as harmful but the damage to a small/unborn child can be severe. I can't believe that people who love their children so much would expose them to such a danger- it is not as if we are unaware of the risks in this day and age.

OP- good luck with sorting out your issue, I would definitely not want my child playing in the same room as someone puffing away on a cigarette. As someone who suffers from asthma I know how much smoke can affect it, and what a horrible and scary experience it is not being able to breath properly.