A poll in the current issue of Parenting asked the question, “Should it be illegal for parents to smoke at home if they have a baby?” Of the over 1,500 respondents 67% answered “yes”. Tyler’s father is a heavy smoker and from day one I forbid him to smoke around Tyler. I should add “in my presence” because of course I can’t dictate what he does when I’m not around. Once Tyler learned to talk though, he also learned to snitch on his father.
I would think that a parent would, on their own, choose not to smoke around their kids. We all know the dangers of second-hand smoke. If you want to puff your life away, so be it, but innocent people should not suffer because you have an addiction. However, to make it illegal? This is similar to the spanking controversy. How exactly can you enforce such a law? Unless a person is caught red-handed, there’s no way, short of installing video surveillance equipment in every home, such a law could be enforced.
Let’s say a law was passed, does this also mean that anyone who smokes in the home when a child is present would be subject to prosecution? And exactly what would the punishment entail? Would the parent face jail time or a fine?
I think parents should have common sense and not smoke around their kids- babies or otherwise. The same is true of parents who drink while caring for their kids. Some might argue that smoking does not impair your judgment in the same way that drugs and alcohol does but smoking is bad for your health and the health of those around you. No one can deny that. As one opponent pointed out “ A law used to enforce common sense is absurd and doesn’t promote personal responsibility”. And that’s what it’s really about. As parents we have a responsibility to care for our children until they reach the age of maturity. Part of this responsibility is keeping them healthy. And puffing smoke in their face is far from being responsible.
See also:
Smoking With A Newborn in the House is Dangerous
Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy