Rating:

5.0 (1 vote)

Last week, when I was picking up my sons from school, I saw a mom and her kids getting into their car. As soon as mom was in the car, she lit a cigarette! I was immediately upset, not about her smoking, she can do what she wants, but she was smoking in a car with three children. I can't imagine why she felt the need to light up, right then. Every day I see parents who smoke in cars with young children and even babies. Do they not realize what they are doing to their children? Before you blast me about personal rights, let me make it clear: I don't care if adults smoke. If you are in a car, alone, smoke all you want. However, PLEASE stop smoking around your kids.

A new study shows that 22 percent of teens and pre-teens were exposed to secondhand smoke in cars in 2009, the latest data available. This figure was actually smaller than 2000, which showed 40 percent of teens and pre-teens were in a car with a smoker. The numbers of kids still facing the risks "is certainly problematic," said CDC researcher Brian King, the study's lead author. He noted that "The car is the only source of exposure for some of these children, so if you can reduce that exposure, it's definitely advantageous for health."

The CDC advises parents to not allow smoking in their homes and cars, and says opening a car window will not protect kids from cigarette smoke inside. Click here for facts about how dangerous secondhand smoke really is for people. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems in children.

• Studies show that older children whose parents smoke get sick more often. Their lungs grow less than children who do not breathe secondhand smoke, and they get more bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Wheezing and coughing are more common in children who breathe secondhand smoke.
• Children whose parents smoke around them get more ear infections. They also have fluid in their ears more often and have more operations to put in ear tubes for drainage.

Parents can help protect their children from secondhand smoke by taking the following actions:

• Do not allow anyone to smoke near your child.
• Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in your home or car. Opening a window does not protect your children from smoke.
• Use a smoke-free day care center.
• Do not take your child to restaurants or other indoor public places that allow smoking.
• Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke.

Parents need to be aware they are hurting their children when they smoke in a car with them. What do you think when you see a person smoking in the car with a child?