When I see smokers with babies, I really want to yell at them...

[Sophrosyne1]

Given the fact that smoking can increase the chance of cot death, breathing problems, glue ear and a whole host of other nasties (not to mention cancer) why is it that every time I go into town or for a walk in my local area I see 'parents' who think it is OK to smoke all over their children? It makes me want to yell very loudly!!!

expat, the OP was about smokers smoking in front of other people! I have absolutely no problem with adults choosing to smoke within their own home, on their own - their choice. Likewise, I do not adversely affect anyone else while sitting and sipping my G and T. Why do people bring up the issue of drunken louts as if it's relevant? No one is condoning disgusting drunken behaviour - StayFrosty's post describes how vile it is, and yes, it does impact on other people. But does the fact that some people get disgustingly drunk make is ok for people to smoke over their kids? I just don't see the connection!

I agree, findtheriver

Hi Tink. You're very brave, I know how hard it is to face another pregnancy after a premmie. You don't enjoy it do you, you endure it. I guess at least this time around you are familiar with the SCBU and the routines - it can be a very scary place.

Well, yes, I did read hte OP. As well as everyone's comments about smoking in general.

This thread has gone WAY beyond the OP, so don't try to deny it hasn't.

findtheriver - im a smoker, and a young mother, yes i smoke whilst walking down the road with my kids, but dont stereotype young mothers, i bearly smoke 10 a day, whereas i grew up with my mother smoking 20+ a day im the home, in the car with the windows closed and she still does with my 10 year old sister despite all the health warnings, and shes 48! nowadays the air outside is so full of pollution from all the great big 4*4s that my children have to breath in on there way to school everyday. which are driven by alot of "older" mothers. sorry it might sound harsh but i hate been stereotyped for being young.

i will also have to add i did stop smoking before i feel pregnant with both dc. so despite being young i do care bout my kids.

Thanks, I'm not feeling it! I've cut off from the pregnancy and I have no symptoms (other than getting big!) so it's a bit weird at the moment.

i stopped smoking before i found out i was pregnant. that was my first tip off that i was pregnant, just couldn't abide smoking ciggies anymore.

lex - I did say in my post that this was based on what I see in my area - it's simply a fact that most times that I see someone smoking while pushing a pram or buggy it is a young mum. Less frequently a young dad, and less frequently again an older parent. That's not making assumptions about young mothers,it's just stating a fact. I'm not saying 'all young mums smoke', just making an observation.
I think it's worth remembering in all of this that MOST people don't smoke anyway.

Time for that cup of coffee, cigarette and square of chocolate.

Is it fair or reasonable to say that a young woman (or old) for that matter walking down the street cigarette in mouth looks rough? Probably not,but they do don't they?

Is ot fair to think that the same woman looks like a bad parent? Seemingly not also, but alas I think they are selfish and scummy. I think that the parent that holds a child whilst smoking is yuck, foolishly trying to fan away the toxic and pollutant chemicals from entering their child's lungs, the parent who smokes in the car, house or blowing over a pushchair.

Why not give up? You have a good 8 months when you know you're having a baby (and certainly should not smoke when pregnant) so give up then.

I fail to see how it is not part of being a good parent to be a non smoker. This is more likely to produce non smoking children.

If you smoke in your house then the toxins float all over it, so if you have to smoke outside when the children are asleep. However this will mean you are more moody craving a cigarette all day.

Gin o'clock. And at least two squares of chocolate I think

But what you miss 12legs is that even smoking outside you would need to have a shower, hairwash, brush your teeth and change your clothes after each cigarette or the smoke is still hanging around on you.

I'm 21 and my DS is 2YO! 2 days after I found out I was pregnant I gave up smoking, that was November 2005, I returned to work in February and began smoking again through sheer stress and boredom weak as it may sound I just needed something. I smoke between 1 and 10 a day sometimes I don't smoke at all depends on how stressed I am. My partner has always smoked we have never smoked in our home but if we are outside we do smoke if our DS is in the surrounding area. I hate seeing people smoking when their chld is in a rear facing ppushchair, but I must admit if I smoke whilst pushing mine which is very rarely I use one hand stretched out as far as it'll go to push the pram and the other to smoke but never when he was facing me. And yes I smoke if I'm in town or at the park but at our park I always sit on the other side of teh fence at least it may not be ideal but I could be doing so much worse!

I hate the whole 'young mother = clueless mother' label it's bloody disgusting, my mum who's 39 smoked through all 3 pregnancies and thought that smoking 20 odd a day in the kitchen made a dofference and there are many more like her so it's not just us young ones.

Oh and for the record yes you are being bloody unreasonable!!!

I'm 21 and my DS is 2YO! 2 days after I found out I was pregnant I gave up smoking, that was November 2005, I returned to work in February and began smoking again through sheer stress and boredom weak as it may sound I just needed something. I smoke between 1 and 10 a day sometimes I don't smoke at all depends on how stressed I am. My partner has always smoked we have never smoked in our home but if we are outside we do smoke if our DS is in the surrounding area. I hate seeing people smoking when their chld is in a rear facing ppushchair, but I must admit if I smoke whilst pushing mine which is very rarely I use one hand stretched out as far as it'll go to push the pram and the other to smoke but never when he was facing me. And yes I smoke if I'm in town or at the park but at our park I always sit on the other side of teh fence at least it may not be ideal but I could be doing so much worse!

I hate the whole 'young mother = clueless mother' label it's bloody disgusting, my mum who's 39 smoked through all 3 pregnancies and thought that smoking 20 odd a day in the kitchen made a dofference and there are many more like her so it's not just us young ones.

Oh and for the record yes you are being bloody unreasonable!!!

Tink when I had my baby my sister (now a non smoker) would have a last cigarette at her house and shower wait an hour and then come and visit us, I'm a real anti smoking around children type.
I do agree that it's not a solution that is flawless but better than in the house.

What I would like to know, has there been any scientific research or evidence of the short/long term effects on children whos parents smoke only outside, ie. not in the house or car.

I also worry for myself and others as thirty years ago many many parents smoked around their children, Will I ger cancer now? There must be millions of us who will be ill or have a shorter life span.

Based on research, cancer is caused by defective genes. Its hard to say who will and who won't get it. Best not think about it too much.

Worse things to do even vaguely near a child.

Watching Eastenders, for a start.

YABVU. Its none of your business. All the attributed increases due to smoking/passive smoking are for parents smoking constantly indoors around children. Have you ever thought about the fact that the reason you see so many outdoors is because they don't smoke indoors . I smoke but not 'all over my children'. The house is a no smoking area. I wear a coat in all weathers over my indoor clothes and always wash my hands straight after. So why have I not given up? because it is an addiction! Just as any other drug is. Difficult to stop.

Would you go into a fast food restaurant and say 'Ooh look at all those fat parents feeding their kids burgers and giving them heart problems in later life?'

No! I thought not. Get down from your soap box. I am certain you are not perfect!!!!!

Cancer is a complex disease, or rather umbrella term for a huge range of diseases. Genetics plays a role - some people are more prone to certain cancers. Environmental factors also play a big part - and the research shows that smoking is certainly a huge factor in a number of types of cancers.

The OP probably yells at smokers without children too.

tori, I do think many people think bad things about parents in fast food places feeding their children. Your children are far more likely to smoke than mine and therefore more at risk from cancer.

Twelvelegs did you give up chocolate whilst pg? Why not, any excess weight can induce gestational diabetes during pregnancy risking mother and child?

Did you ever get cravings? The ones where you just had to have a particular thing? Well multiply that craving several times over and you might be close to the craving for a cigarette. Nicotine is actually more chemically addictive than heroin and all other class A drugs, easier to get and harder to give up. How do you know what others reasons are?

Anyway, I am now so stressed I am off to pollute my dds with filthy cigarettes, I will go outside and obviously make sure I blow smoke up to their open windows.

Tori I smoked before I had children and gave up when I conceived (unplanned) the first time. I try to keep healthy during pregnancy although anyone I know who has had gestational diabetes has not been induced by weight.

There really is no defence for continuing to smoke when you are a parent.

Twelvedogs, that is completely incorrect. Having nursed plenty of cancer patients I can assure you that the vast majority have never smoked with the direct exception of lung cancer. They are not more likely to smoke because I smoke when they aren't looking and always chew mints etc to take smell away. I know I don't smell of them because I went out with friends from a toddler group on an evening who were when I went outside for a cigarette, commenting that they didn't know and had never smelled it on me.