Should smoking at home with kids be considered abuse?

[Seegtease]

I am normally pretty supportive of less government control and intervention unless necessary. I don't think smoking should be outlawed or anything, my only problem comes when it affects others besides the smoker. People are free to do what they will with their own bodies, but not necessarily free to do what they will with others. That being said...

Most of us should be able to agree that when a child is being beaten and bruised by the parents, even though the bruises go away quickly and it's temporary, it's still child abuse. But what about the damage done to a child by secondhand smoke? That damage can last many years and in some cases, can be fatal.

Should we treat smoking around your child as another form of abuse?

[BreakingBad420]

Only if shoving Mcdonalds down their throat is also child abuse.

[Dezerte]

Bit of a gray area.

It also begs the question, should poor parenting also be considered child abuse?

[muto]

Bit of a gray area.

It also begs the question, should poor parenting also be considered child abuse?

Yes to both.

[Dasffion]

Definitely not abuse. A case might be able to be made for Endangerment but certainly not abuse.

[Deleted]

I'd say yes.

[Gamdwelf]

Bit of a gray area.

It also begs the question, should poor parenting also be considered child abuse?

Just because a family is poor does not mean you can't have all of your needs met.

[Porcell]

Only if shoving Mcdonalds down their throat is also child abuse.

Mmm, touché sir.

[Gheld]

Only if shoving Mcdonalds down their throat is also child abuse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A

Bit of a gray area.

It also begs the question, should poor parenting also be considered child abuse?

It's hardly a grey area. If you smoke in the house you are harming the other occupants. Another adult has a choice to leave on their volition. A child does not. I know parents who are smokers and they'll go outside when it's -40C to have their cigarette because they damn well know it would be wrong to smoke inside with a child at home.

[Deleted]

Should fattening your children till they can roll around be considered child abuse? I'm thinking yes.

[Adam Jensen]

Just because a family is poor does not mean you can't have all of your needs met.

That's not quite what he meant by "poor" . . .

As to the OP, I'd say its a gray area, but good parents should take their habit outside (or just quit, I mean seriously, is there anyone left on the planet who doesn't know that smoking will kill you?)

---------- Post added 2013-05-08 at 04:33 PM ----------

Only if shoving Mcdonalds down their throat is also child abuse.

Depends on how often you feed them McDonalds. Every now and then won't hurt. Every day however is bad.

[Gamdwelf]

That's not quite what he meant by "poor" . . .

As to the OP, I'd say its a gray area, but good parents should take their habit outside (or just quit, I mean seriously, is there anyone left on the planet who doesn't know that smoking will kill you?)

---------- Post added 2013-05-08 at 04:33 PM ----------



Depends on how often you feed them McDonalds. Every now and then won't hurt. Every day however is bad.

Also depends what you get at mcdonalds, you can get milk and fruit in kids meals now.

[Deleted]

If you're in your room enjoying some beer and smoke while listening to music or reading a book that's totally fine. Your kid just has to avoid coming into your room. If you're actively smoking in their own room, kitchen or into their face (lol) all the time then it is child abuse.

That said - my dad quit smoking when i was born because he loves me. There shouldn't be a LAW to dictate and prevent people from smoking in their own house, however there could be some sort of "doctor's orders" that would tell the parents not to smoke or keep it outside.

[Elegiac]

Also depends what you get at mcdonalds, you can get milk and fruit in kids meals now.

The milk they sell and the fruit are also quite bad.

---------- Post added 2013-05-08 at 01:36 PM ----------

If you're in your room enjoying some beer and smoke while listening to music or reading a book that's totally fine. Your kid just has to avoid coming into your room. If you're actively smoking in their own room, kitchen or into their face (lol) all the time then it is child abuse.

That said - my dad quit smoking when i was born because he loves me. There shouldn't be a LAW to dictate and prevent people from smoking in their own house, however there could be some sort of "doctor's orders" that would tell the parents not to smoke or keep it outside.

You are aware of the concepts of secondary and tertiary inhalation, yes?

[Dezerte]

It's hardly a grey area. If you smoke in the house you are harming the other occupants. Another adult has a choice to leave on their volition. A child does not. I know parents who are smokers and they'll go outside when it's -40C to have their cigarette because they damn well know it would be wrong to smoke inside with a child at home.

Just saying if smoking should be considered child abuse, poor parenting in general could also be considered child abuse. Both harms the child.

[lockedout]

I have chronic bronchitus from my parents smoking around me.

[GKLeatherCraft]

Without a shadow of a doubt, It is harmfull and you're only smoking in the house because of your own selfish wants, i smoked for some years, and i stopped when my son reached 1, And he never once saw me smoke, and i always went outside, because i think you're a twat if you smoke around anyone who doesn't smoke, let a lone a child.

[lockedout]

Also depends what you get at mcdonalds, you can get milk and fruit in kids meals now.

I'll get my fruits from a fruit and vegetable store not Mc donalds.

[Kraenen]

The harms of smoking are pretty well known, any parent should know by now what it does to developing bodies.

[Gheld]

Just saying if smoking should be considered child abuse, poor parenting in general could also be considered child abuse. Both harms the child.

I know plenty of people who are raised "poorly" who grew up to live perfectly normal lives. "poor parenting in general" is a grey area. You can't say for sure whether certain parenting decisions (shy of blatant apathy and neglect) will have any influence what-so-ever on the child in the long run. Whereas damaged lung tissue is damaged lung tissue.