Why do people smoke around their own children?

[howareb]

I think the risks of smoking around children are pretty overblown - two whole generations grew up with it (both of my parents lived in smoking households), and most everyone grew up fine.



The difference between the results of the actual studies (if you live in a confined space with someone who chain-smokes with poor ventilation, there are some health risks) and the way it's marketed by political action groups (if a child smells a cigarette from half a mile away on a windy day, he's going to die of cancer) are night and day.



That said, I try to keep my cigar habit to smoking-only venues, more out of politeness than any real health hazard. Secondhand smoke is a hugely overblown danger, but the matter remains that some people just don't like the smell of smoke, and that's their right.

Even though I don't do it you did hit the nail on the head with that one.



Most of it is people blowing things wayyyyyyyyy out of proportion. For example I am only 29 and I don't remember being in a car seat once I was old enough to fit in the seat...talking maybe 2. Now you can get a ticket if the child is out of a seat but under a certian age or height. Airbags, ABS, Shoulder belts, look how long cars were around before these things, did the accident death rate drop by drastic proportions...no. My wife is pregnant right now and I can't tell you the amount of things people tell her not to eat, not to lift, not to go around, blah, blah, blah.... got to wonder how the human race is still going considering for 1,000 of years women probably did about 95% of the things they tell you you can't do while pregnant these days.

Simple answer: It is called progression!!! When evidence exists that something is harmful, you take precautions (Asbestos, lead paint, cigarettes) to protect your children from it. All because something use to be done a particular way and no harm came to you does not mean that the harm does not exist. Every parent wants their child to have the best chances in life, why start them out with irritants and other harmful item in their lungs. They breath twice as much oxygen as adults in the same time period. That means twice the toxins in their blood.

 

[Scottwax]

did the accident death rate drop by drastic proportions...no.

Actually, it has. Deaths per 100 million miles traveled has steadily declined over the years.



4.8 in 1970 to 1.6 in 2006. That is a pretty big drop.