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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

303 replies

Sophrosyne1 · 05/09/2008 18:26

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!!!

OP posts:
tori32 · 07/09/2008 22:19

Well done you for giving up! They say ex smokers are more anti than non smokers, which appears to be the case. However, be mindful while on your perch near the pearly gates that smuggness can bite you on the butt.

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 22:24

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

What an absolutely ridiculous statement.

Parents have a right to chose whether they smoke or not. The risks are apparent and those risks can be minimised.

There are far greater dangers to children in this world than a whiff of tobacco smoke.

expatinscotland · 07/09/2008 22:25

'They say ex smokers are more anti than non smokers, which appears to be the case.'

I think on the whole this is true. My landlord's wife is much like this.

I am, however, and tbh it doesn't bother me at all when others smoke. My mum and dad are the same.

cascade · 07/09/2008 22:28

noones answered my question! Is there any scientific research into the effects of children whos parents only smoke otside.

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 22:33

Cascade: any risks to children whose parents smoke outside are the same risks they will encounter when they come into contact with people in shops, nurseries, schools etc etc who smoke.

tori32 · 07/09/2008 22:33

My Dad gave up for seven years when I was born but later started again. Just because you have stopped at the moment doesn't mean you will never do it again.
FWIW I have been on nicotine gum for 5yrs now and still haven't managed to stop for more than 4.5mths.

cascade · 07/09/2008 22:39

and those risks are?

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 22:46

Smokers carry toxins that cigarettes produce: Those toxins can be linked to bronchitis, coughing, middle ear infection and cot death, amongst others.

The emphasis on the word can. Many, many other factors come into play.

findtheriver · 07/09/2008 22:57

Re: post about cancer - mouth cancer is far more prevalent in smokers than non smokers as well as lung cancer. I believe if you are a smoker it also increases the risk of certain other cancers. The comment about giving up chocolate when pregnant is ridiculous, as it is certainly possible to eat chocolate without gaining excess weight - I did - it's about having a balanced diet overall, and also and avoiding certain things that carry risks - eg raw egg/alcohol and erm.... cigarettes

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 23:00

To me the post was about 'When I see smokers with babies, I really want to yell at them'

But of course it has digressed. I have kept to the topic. Therefore I cannot comment on chocolate/fatties.

Remotew · 07/09/2008 23:01

Cascade no-one can answer because no-one knows.

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 23:02

about eve: I have answered -

and those risks are?

Smokers carry toxins that cigarettes produce: Those toxins can be linked to bronchitis, coughing, middle ear infection and cot death, amongst others.

The emphasis on the word can. Many, many other factors come into play.

steviesgirl · 07/09/2008 23:03

YABU.

I suppose because you are a teacher, you feel the need to comment and poke your nose into other people's business. Well, I can tell you for a fact that not even 'teachers' are perfect. I was actually bullied by 'teachers' when I was at school, aged 5 to be exact. You think just because you have a degree and teacher training under your belt you can do no wrong. You are just a busy body dear.

Okay, so I agree. Smoking is bad, and very bad for your child's health. But it doesn't mean to say that just because someone smokes they are a bad parent. You obviously haven't got anything else better to do with your time than analyse every person/people with kids you see on the street and see what they are doing wrong.

And as for saying 'parents'. Who the hell do you think you are? Perhaps you should reserve 'parents' for those who really do abuse kids, and put them through living hell. Not someone who loves their kids but just has a bad habit.

I don't smoke but I wouldn't like to come across you in the street in case you decided to pick holes in me for some other reason. I think you need to get a life. But I suppose you are so perfect you already have one! It's called judging others.

He who is without sin, cast the first stone.

findtheriver · 07/09/2008 23:08

oooh dear somebody has ishoos

Remotew · 07/09/2008 23:09

So you reckon that by smoking outside in the open air those toxins on the skin/clothes can cause allsorts of ailments in others from coughs to cot deaths .

Remotew · 07/09/2008 23:11

Well put Steviesgirl. That is what I would have liked to say.

findtheriver · 07/09/2008 23:13

'Smokers carry toxins that cigarettes produce: Those toxins can be linked to bronchitis, coughing, middle ear infection and cot death, amongst others.

The emphasis on the word can. Many, many other factors come into play.'

  • I think this post is perfectly clear. There are risks attached to smoking; you can take certain actions to minimize those risks, but the risks are still greater than if you're a non smoker. Seems some people just don't want to face facts!
expatinscotland · 07/09/2008 23:15

amen, stevies!

i caught a whiff of the excuse for a professional who was supposed to be teaching DD1.

over my dead body!

judgemental besom.

Remotew · 07/09/2008 23:16

Likewise. The extreme anti-smoking brigade will believe any scare mongering research about how harmful cigarette smoke is, or toxins or whatever, even when logic tells them that its likely to be grossly misleading.

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 23:17

abouteve: correct, well done. No need to be sceptical - it is indeed a fact.

Firepile · 07/09/2008 23:19

"Having nursed plenty of cancer patients I can assure you that the vast majority have never smoked with the direct exception of lung cancer."

Tori, it's justnot true to say that smoking "only" causes lung cancer. It actually increases the risk of all the following types of cancer:

  • lung
  • oral
  • nasal
  • throat
  • stomach
  • pancreas
  • liver
  • kidney
  • unrinary tract
  • cervix
  • myeloid leukaemia

Smoking causes 1 in 4 of all deaths from cancer in the UK.

And Cascade, the evidence you are asking for is slightly difficult to find, because it is only recently that large numbers of smokers have had completely smokefree homes and cars.

There is evidence that smokers do carry toxins with them on clothes etc, but it is hard to establish the degree of risk associated with this. However parental smoking is n ahuge risk factor for their children becoming smokers themselves, as others have said.

If parents continue to smoke the best thing that they can do is to keep their homes and cars completely smokefree, and only smoke outside. This will minimise the risks of secondhand smoke exposure to their children, but it will not eradicate them.

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 23:21

I am a smoker

My parents smoke (my parents are both doctors)

My in-laws smoke (they are both doctors)

So the OP can stick that in her pipe mind and smoke absorb it

findtheriver · 07/09/2008 23:23

It may well be true that the extreme anti-smoking brigade believe any scare mongering facts. It is also true that there are plenty of people who aren't extremists; they just look at the wealth of evidence that points to the fact that smoking is harmful and addictive. I don't really get why anyone feels the need to exaggerate anything.
I also don't agree with the OP as I have stated several times - I really couldnt get worked up enough to be bothered about other people smoking over their own kids - it's their business and if they can't work out for themselves that it's not a great idea, then I wouldnt waste my breath yelling at them!

findtheriver · 07/09/2008 23:25

What the hell has the profession of anyone's in laws gotta do with it LOL. We all know health professionals are probably the worst bunch at following their own advice!

hf128219 · 07/09/2008 23:26

As I said earlier the OP would probably just yell at smokers - parents or not.