Smoking in cars with children already banned in four states.

Exposure to second-hand smoke ”is thought to increase a child’s chance of having ear infections, allergies, asthma, wheezing, pneumonia and frequent upper respiratory tract infections,” says Dr. Vincent Iannelli.  Most parents understand the negative effects their smoking can have on their children, and yet they continue to smoke, if not directly in front of their children, somewhat nearby.

Full disclosure: I was a “social” smoker when my daughter was young, and by that I mean I liked to smoke around other people who were smoking.  I did most of my smoking after hours at shows, but I’d occasionally take a puff while out pushing my daughter in her stroller.  After all, we were outside – what harm could it do?

Even smoking while you’re away from your children can have a negative effect on their health.  (Not to mention your own.  I have since quit.)  So it’s no wonder that the South Carolina legislature has taken up a bill that would ban smoking in cars carrying children.  It’s not necessarily a bad idea, but is it fair? Continue reading »

Tweet

15

Pin It

A new survey found that nearly a quarter of pregnant women lie about smoking

I’m the first to admit that the truth has not been the only thing that has ever slipped from my lips. I was a fairly good liar as a kid, no matter the reason or topic. But the one thing I’ve always felt strongly about is being honest with doctors. And not necessarily because I put them on a pedestal (although for the things they see, do and touch every day, they are clearly better people than I am). But what’s the point of seeing a doctor at all if they aren’t given a clear picture of the factors affecting your health?

In my adult life, I feel fortunate to have doctors that don’t blink an eye or judge me (to my face, anyway) when I admit things that I might be embarrassed about or that might indicate I am less than a perfect person. But if it relates to my health, I take a deep breath and own up to it.

I would hope that all doctors are similarly cool about not passing judgment and simply trying instead to correct what’s wrong. And yet I’m scratching my head about a new National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that says nearly a quarter of pregnant women lie about being active smokers, which I assume means they’re not being honest with their doctors, too. Is it because they don’t trust their doctors not to scold them, or is it because they’re too ashamed to admit the atrocities they’re inflicting on their fetuses?

Continue reading »

Tweet

0

Pin It

Do you smoke around your children?

Do you smoke around your children?

If you do, a new study suggests your little one could have high levels of tobacco carcinogens in their system.

While the size of this recent study done by the American Association for Cancer Research was small in size; only including 79 U.S. children, between the ages of one month, to ten years old – the findings are alarming for all parents.  It shows a very serious and direct impacts second-hand smoke has on young children, as well as their future health. Continue reading »

Tweet

0

Pin It

Heigl Demonstrates Smoke Stick

Last night, actress Katherine Heigl became an unofficial spokeswoman for the “Smoke Stick” when she appeared on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Puffing on the smoke stick, Heigl said she decided to quit smoking after adopting her daughter, 1½-year-old daughter Naleigh, from South Korea last year. But what is the Smoke Stick exactly? Continue reading »

Tweet

0

Pin It

These days, smokers everywhere are getting used to having to step outside to light up.  But what if you can’t even do that?  In Ayer, Massachusetts, smoking is no longer permitted in the city’s parks, thanks to the efforts of Jason Mayo, a member of the Ayer parks and recreation committee.  After watching a father blow smoke in his child’s face as he pushed him on a swing, Mayo decided the ban was needed.  “We can’t tell people how to parent,” he said, “but all the other kids around him were inhaling that cigarette too.”

Continue reading »

Tweet

0

Pin It