The Bangor, Maine City Council approved an ordinance Monday to prohibit people from smoking in motor vehicles while children are present.
My first reaction to this measure was disapproval. I'm not a fan of the government intervening more than it already does in citizen's lives and this issue seemed to be overstepping boundaries. After some thought however, I realized that this really is a health risk, and maybe the measure does have some validity.
Second hand smoke is something that many kids deal with every day. As awful as it is when children are forced to breathe it in their homes, at least most houses are big enough that children can escape the worst of the smoke by leaving the room or by not sitting directly next to a smoking parent. There is no such escape when riding in a confined space such as a car.
I can remember being exposed to smoke during long car rides when I was younger, and I also remember the discomfort I felt as a result. Sometimes I rode in a car while three of the passengers were smoking. During the winter the windows were often kept mostly closed, except for an inch or two, because of the cold weather. In addition to the immediate discomforts such as difficulty breathing and coughing, by the end of the car rides I remember dealing with eyes that burned and itched for hours and clothes and hair that smelled like tobacco. I'm lucky because I don't suffer long term damage from the exposure, such as asthma, but many children do suffer such medical problems as a result of being exposed to second hand smoke.
Something like this should be a law because children have no other defenses. Kids know it is uncomfortable to deal with cigarette smoke in cars, but many do not know how much it could be physically harming them. Very young children can't even talk to say they are uncomfortable, and even if they could, many parents would not change their behaviors. The law is the only way to defend children from harm in this case. Hopefully it will make parents less likely to expose their children to smoke in the small spaces of cars.
If parents know it is illegal to smoke in the car while a child is present, maybe they will be more likely to pull over and take a cigarette break outside. I understand how addictive cigarettes are, but that does not justify exposing kids to the toxic chemicals in small spaces. Opponents argue that this is just a way for nonsmokers to "moralize" against smokers. I think it's simply a way to help protect children from the dangers of secon hand smoke in confined spaces.
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5 comments:
Great blog!! i feel the same way, when i read about this i was like what?? more government intervention, but youre right, exposing these cemicals to young children probably inclines them more to smoke later on in life. people know smoking is bad, wouldnt you think that even adult smokers would want better for thier kids?
This was a great blog. I have dealt with smoking in the car in the past, and as children we couldn't make the smokers stop. All they are doing is hurting their kids and it's great that something is being done about it. Super job!!!
I really liked the blog. Although I find it interesting how the government has taken such measures to stop adult smokers. I really agree with what the law is trying to do because it is very harmful for kids to be exposed to second hand smoke. However, I think the law will be hard to enforce! Awesome topic though!
I am allergic to nicotine and I have asthma. When I was diagnosed, my father quit. He used to smoke cigars, pipes, and cigarettes. My grandmother smoked cigarettes and whenever she kissed me I would gag from the smell of stale smoke and perfume.
I am thankful for this law because many healthy children develop asthma and other lung-related disorders through exposure to second-hand smoke. Now that people realize the dangers of second hand smoke, why do parents continue to expose their children to it? I understand that smoking is an addiction and probably one of the most difficult habits to break, however, smokers should make a concerted effort to minimize their children's exposure to second hand smoke.
People complain about the government infringing upon their rights, but if they choose to willingly poison another human being, they don't deserve those rights in my opinion.
Of course the argument becomes "where do you draw the line?" Should we incarcerate women who smoke during pregnancy or parents who smoke at home with their children in the next room? I think we need to be careful of the current trend for more government intervention in daily life.
Wow, this is very interesting. I agree with you, definitely, that it should become a law. Up until a few years ago, I also dealt with that same ordeal which was really harmful to my health, i'm sure. Really interesting topic to choose, and you are such a great writer!
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