Smoking parents?

Question

How do you feel about the fact that your children are around smoke and more prone to become a smoker themselves because of your habit? Do you feel it is acceptable to smoke in front of your children? What would you do if your child, as a teenager, started smoking?

Being an ex-smoker myself, this isn't out to criticise all smoking parents whether I agree with it or not. I'm just interested in the opinions of parents who smoke.

Answer 1

I'm a teenager, my parents smoke infront of me all the time, and also my younger sister who is eight.

they have around us from about the age of four, I have no issue with it, although I do believe it has helped develop a dependency to smoking.

Though I do not agree it's okay.

I also think it varies, my sister hates and, And also my friend which is the same age completely hates and her parents also smoke around her, So I guess it varies really.

Answer 2

i smoke but never around my child im hoping to give up soon... my mum and dad has never smoked a ciggerette in there lives but me, my brother and my sister all smoke so children can pick it up from pretty much anywhere!!

Answer 3

I know exactly what you mean, How can they do it? Do they not have a conscience?

I did smoke, Alot. But as soon as i found out i was pregnant with my daughter i stopped. I cannot stand seeing pregnant women or mothers smoking in front of their children.

When i gave up, Friend ask me why. When i said because of the health of my child she stated that she smoked throughout her pregnancy and there is nothing wrong with her child, I thought that was the most disgusting thing i have ever heard, Especially since her child has epilepsy, How does she know her illness isn't from her smoking?

My dad smoked around me when i was little, Knowing full well that i had very bad asthma, He didn't care. I just think that its utterly disgusting and anyone that pollutes there children's lungs with cigarette smoke don't deserve to have children. I know that's harsh, But so is the illnesses that second hand cigarette smoke causes.

EDIT:

Fizz, When i was younger i said i would never smoke, I told my dad that i thought it was disgusting and he should stop, I was really Anti-smoking, As soon as i got into college, I started smoking...Just because they feel that way now doesnt mean they wont smoke in the future.

Answer 4

I was a smoker when my kids were little.  they hated it so much that I quit.  Best thing I ever did for my health and theirs.  They are all grown up now and none of them would go anywhere near a cigarette, ever!!!!!!!!

However I understand those who smoke and want to quit, until you have done it you just have no idea how hard it is.

Answer 5

Me and my husband are smokers but our teenage kids are not and never will be, they hate it, but one of my sons friends and his sister who come from a very anti smoking household smoke so  I don't think it makes any difference to your kids if you smoke or not .

My husband was raised in an anti smoking house with 8 siblings, only one of them doesn't smoke.

Kayleigh

I know they won't, lots of their friends smoke and they keep away from them when they do, my son is 19 and swears he won't, and if he hasn't smoked until now he would be a fool to start at that age and he isn't a fool.

I started smoking at 11 as everyone was doing it then.

Answer 6

I smoke but never infront of the kids, however i can fully apreciate that i wont be able to keep it hidden from them forever and i think i would be slightly dissapointed if either of my lads started smoking, but what would i be able to say, i would have no justification for telling them off. i will of course tell them all the hazzards involved with smoking and i'm sure they'll here me coughing in the morning etc. but fingers crossed before they get too much older i will have given up.

Answer 7

If you think back to the 70's when most parents and grandparents smoked in the home, it actually put most kids off it.  Those children of the 70's and 80's who are in their 30's now don't smoke on the whole.  I don't buy into the whole "kids do everything their parents do" thing.  If that were true, we'd all be having Tupperware parties and eating pineapple on cocktail sticks.

If I see anyone smoking around my daughter, I take her away and would never allow anyone to smoke in my house.

Answer 8

Ex smoker here - gave up when my son was born - personally, I think any parent that smokes around their child should be forced to give up.

The amount of people that used to visit us and try to smoke in the same room as him was disgusting - kicked them all out.

Not fair on the kids having all that c**p forced into their lungs

Answer 9

I am an ex smoker too. I gave up to get pregnant and have children. I didn't want my kids to grow up seeing me smoke and then have a high chance of doing it too.

Answer 10

my partner smokes, but only outside, always has even before kids born as we were in a rented house before. he would never smoke in the car or anywhere near ours or anyone elses kids, my almost 3 yr old has seen him through the window, and tells him he smells, she wont go near him if she is outside, she has been told not to, but this is her choice,  

i dont think he feels comfortable smoking in front of her, as he asks her to play in other parts of the garden or he just puts it out, i am hoping he will stop soon before she gets much older and thinks its a good idea.

he parents never smoked, in fact no one in his family do, apart from cousin same age,i think they both started due to peer pressure at school.

Answer 11

Well,my hubby and I don't smoke,but our daughter does(when out),I'm not happy about it and she doesn't smoke at home.

Just goes to show,we can't win.

Answer 12

i dont smoke around my baby i dont even smoke in the house or the car so every where is smoke free and as for kids smoking them selfs just because there mum n dad do it..................what happens when you take your kid out and they see people smoking on the streets?

Answer 13

I don't smoke, but unfortunately my husband and all of our friends do.  I do not think it is right to do it around children and so I make my husband smoke outside only (not even in hte garage) and never in the car or around my 3 year old stepson.  When ever my ss does see his daddy, we tell him its daddy's yucky medicine and to not go near him.  I also make him wash his hands before he comes near me or my ss.  My husband and all my friends are very supportive in the fact that I don't want the smoke around myself or the children.  They also always stay away from anyone who is pregnant.