Smoking in the car - with children (legal, healthcare, insurance)

[vamos]

Obviously, smoking is well known to cause quite a few health problems and this information is well disseminated. In essence, nobody can claim ignorance to the detrimental effect of tobacco on humans. There also seems to be rather convincing evidence that smoking (even second-hand smoke) can and will adversely affect a child's development.

As I waited at a red light today, I noticed that the car behind me had an girl (roughly eight years of age) on the passenger seat and a toddler in a child seat on the rear bench. The mother was vigorously smoking a cigarette while the windows were closed.

To me, people who smoke either have a really hard time breaking their addiction or they are stupidly choosing to ignore the problems associated with smoking. Still, since they are adult and since smoking is legal, I think that they have every right to be idiots and smoke. I do not appreciate that their habits cause higher health insurance rates, but so does eating an unhealthy diet or not exercising. Thus, for the sake of this argument, I am willing to ignore this.

What I don't get is why people would do this to their children (or to any child, really).

Some smokers on CD seem to argue that second-hand smoke has no adverse effects - but healthcare professionals seem to strongly contradict such assertions (as does common sense).

Any ideas?

[Zembonez]

Smoking in the car when alone should be a crime.

[Mightyqueen801]

One idea is that their parents smoked around them, and so they think it is normal.

[parfleche]

Why were you sitting at a light with your stinky exhaust hurting innocent peoples lungs? ever hear of a bicycle or walking

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by parfleche

Why were you sitting at a light with your stinky exhaust hurting innocent peoples lungs? ever hear of a bicycle or walking

Cigarette smoke is MUCH more harmful than even diesel exhaust.

Cigarette smoke produces 10 times more air pollution than diesel car exhaust

Modern engines are incredibly clean.

[HappyTexan]

If cigarettes have been found to be so bad then why are they still being sold ?

The government says whole milk is not good for you and BLAMO schools get low fat milk.
The government says get your flu shot and BLAMO everywhere you turn there's someone with a needle ready to give you your shot.

Where's the BLAMO, no more cigarette sales from government ?

[wildflower82]

I think some people don't consider, their bad habit is effecting their kids. I find cigarettes to be disgusting, filthy habit!!

I know, if I'm in a room full of cigarette smoke my eyes burn, I can smell it for days later, ugh they're just gross.

What's even more strange, they'll roll the window down, so they can breath and leave the windows up in the back of the car, for the kids to inhale it.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by vamos

Any ideas?

I think it is none of your business.

[Frank DeForrest]

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

One idea is that their parents smoked around them, and so they think it is normal.

Another idea:
My father was a heavy smoker and as a result I never wanted to start.

[Joe_Ryder]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

If cigarettes have been found to be so bad then why are they still being sold ?

The government says whole milk is not good for you and BLAMO schools get low fat milk.
The government says get your flu shot and BLAMO everywhere you turn there's someone with a needle ready to give you your shot.

Where's the BLAMO, no more cigarette sales from government ?

The government sells cigarettes? I knew public schools were lousy but I wasn't aware cigarettes were now included in school lunches.