What would you do if you saw parents smoking near their newborn?

by ABCnews.com Posted 2012/02/22 21:04:27

Related Topics: smoking, Parent, Lifestyle, parents, Newborn

1,127 votes
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	I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.	349 votes	31%
	Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.	217 votes	19%
	Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.	561 votes	50%

We've all seen it: adults smoking dangerously close to their children and not really caring about all that "second hand smoke" stuff. But would you actually confront these smokers about it -- or is it not your place to do so?

+16

Add a comment above

Boo<3 2012/02/23 17:49:48

I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.

+10
Who smokes by a new baby? Pure stupidity. I would have no problem walking up to a stranger and saying "excuse me, but I hope you know that's not safe for your baby" and I'm only 17! People need to step up and be more confident!
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..::localeye::.. 2012/02/23 19:37:36

Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.

+4
Its not for anyone to say anything. If they are blowing the smoke in the kids face its one thing but if they are sitting on a park bench smoking a cigarette who cares.

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Shonny to ..::loc... 2012/02/23 21:02:51

good point

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Lisa 2012/02/23 19:23:50

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+2
It's their baby and if they want to make them ill from secondhand smoking that's their problem

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Tara-ABO-2012 2012/02/23 19:22:30

Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.

+1
What someone else is doing (as long as it is within the law) is their business and it's not my place to say anything. People need to stay out of other people's lives and mind their own business.

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Calm down! 2012/02/23 19:16:52

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+1
Everyone has to deal with their own decisions, but I would like to walk up to the parents and turn into the hulk!!!

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METALheadMom 2012/02/23 19:11:36

I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.

I would not ASK them anything. I would reach in my purse, pull out a cigarette, light it, and blow it in their face!!!!!

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Beat Ma... to METALhe... 2012/02/23 22:01:28

And since they are already smoking, your little theater would be meaningless.

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Rebel Yell 2012/02/23 19:03:59

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

No, I wouldn't say anything. Half the people in Texas carry, and I don't want to lose my life over a cigarette. The sad truth is cats make a better parent than many people.

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XXrawwwrXX 2012/02/23 19:01:50

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+1
i know i get mad when people try to tell me how to raise my children, so i wont do it to someone else

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Margaret Jacobson 2012/02/23 18:58:58

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

everybody has to make choices!!!!!!

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♥ilia rose♥ 2012/02/23 18:54:15

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+2
I would probably would give them a dirty look:P

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Huntclan to ♥ilia r... 2012/02/23 20:16:11

+1

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Angela Chambers 2012/02/23 18:45:50

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+1
I'd mind my own business about the situation. Not my baby.

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LoveBug 2012/02/23 18:41:56

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

I am not one to tell others how to live. Of course I would be thinking, "that poor baby", but I would not tell the parent(s) what to do.

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~ The Button ~ 2012/02/23 18:34:18

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+1
i can't believe people would actually say something...its not your kid...how would you like it if someone said your vegan lifestyle hurt your child or that your tattoos would some day hurt them or that your drinking or smoking pot would? or the type car you drive is putting them in danger? you can say something if you want but be prepared to be cussed out or have your butt kicked in public

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Combat Trucker USAF 2012/02/23 18:25:36

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

I don't believe there are laws prohibiting it. That's the problem with our society is we project our beliefs on to others until there is a law they are within the legal limits. I was a smoker and so was my wife and we would smoke outside never in the house. If the kids tried to come out we would send them back inside the house. Just because we chose to smoke didn't mean our kids had to"second hand smoke".

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where is your "god" now? 2012/02/23 18:22:38

I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.

+4
I am a cigaret smoker, but I can't stand it when parents smoke around their children, especially babies.

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Angry in MO 2012/02/23 18:22:13

Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.

Their Child, their lives, their choice.......

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Friskywhisky 2012/02/23 18:19:10

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

Moar population control. Yay :D

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Your friendly neighborhood ... 2012/02/23 18:17:56 (edited)

I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.

+2
I'm six months pregnant and can't stand when people smoke by me, let alone a newborn. Is it more important to get your fix than keep your baby healthy?

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User De... to Your fr... 2012/02/23 21:57:28

+1
It amazed me how many people answered with something about it being 'their life' they never even seemed to consider the life of the newborn near them that they were harming. So sad. I've actually put my tobacco out when seeing a mom with her child come near me, only to have her light up herself. *kicks woman in taint*

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Your fr... to User De... 2012/02/23 22:13:15 (edited)

+1
That's exactly it. When you becomea parent, it is no longer "your" life alone. Your priority should be the baby's life. If the smoker is not ready to give up a lifestyle harmful to the child, or at least do it away from the child, then that person is not ready for parenting. Parenthood has many sacrifices.

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mrs.heart attack 2012/02/23 18:17:12
freebirdie 2012/02/23 18:10:40

Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.

+2
Are they blowing smoke right into the child's face? I've never seen anyone do that. EVER. Are you ready to have someone come up to you and tell you you are too fat to be a good parent? That you must be a certain age in order to have children? That you shouldn't have more than three children? That if you don't have two strong arms you can't be a good parent (you know, to be able to hold your child) ? You may not like what they do but this is a free country! Let's stop all this nonsense.

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I<3Edward 2012/02/23 18:02:57

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

+1
and start coughing really really loud.

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Lindsay 2012/02/23 18:02:25
Gimmedap 2012/02/23 17:59:54

I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.

Ive said something to parents smoking infont of children and to those who were cussing and yelling like crazy people. So many horrible parents.

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Willski 2012/02/23 17:59:09

Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.

as long as they're not smoking near me, i don't care.

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kick2head 2012/02/23 17:58:51

Nothing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable approaching strangers about this issue.

There is no legal recourse or consequence for their actions, but, if you confront them and they make a scene, you could find yourself in trouble.

I found this out when my well meaning female friend confronted a woman in a very polite way, for the exact same issue and ended up getting arrested. The lady she confronted punched her in the face and my friend fought back. The police said that confronting a mother with a child creates a legal "grey" area, where all the mother has to do is say they where defending their child from perceived hostilities, which is what this woman did.

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Bethany Jansen 2012/02/23 17:57:02

I’d ask them to stop and advise them of the consequences.

+3
I hate when people do that. It's so bad for babies, but they're so selfish with their habit, they don't even care. I CANNOT stand cigarettes. I hate them so incredibly much..ugh!

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Bethany... to Bethany... 2012/02/23 18:00:42

I probably wouldn't ACTUALLY say anything to them. I couldn't do that. I'd like to though. I should've picked the other option lol

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PJ Sweet Cheeks 2012/02/23 17:56:22

Nothing. They’re doing nothing wrong.

+5
I would never tell someone what they should or should not be doing....
this is a free country...let's keep it that way!!!
I would not want anyone telling me what to do with my life or my family!!!!
Government and liberals bud the "f" out!!!!

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ChynaP to PJ Swe... 2012/02/23 18:57:46

second hand smoke is worse than picking the thing up and smoking it! how? its unfilltered. Pure smoke all that stuff, chemicals like rat poison and tar are getting int oa childs lungs, and they have no control over it.

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smitty to ChynaP 2012/02/23 20:25:55

+2
You ever ride in a car when you are child?

You ever walk outside and breathe the air as a child?

Did you ever drink tap water as a child?

Did you eat grass as a child?

Did you chew on dirt as a child?

Did your binky ever get dropped on the ground and you put it back in your mouth?

If I saw the parent pick the baby up and blow smoke in its nostrils then yes I would say something.

Would you say something to a parent that is drinking a beer next to their child?

Smoking is legal. As much as you want to try and make it illegal it isn't. Tax the crap out of it if you want.

I had two grandparents that chained smoke growing up. They lived till just under 90. I survived the onslaught of that nasty horrid second hand smoke you talk about. I guess I should be six feet under from the amount of second hand smoke that hit my lungs.

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Shonny to smitty 2012/02/23 21:06:21

+2
Your comments are on point, we all disagree with this issue, but what you stated are the facts. We all encountered today's no-no's and we turned out fine. I agree with you 100% Smitty.

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ChynaP to smitty 2012/02/24 18:42:46

things children do and thngs their parents expose them to are two differnt things. some things just cant be avoided, while others can. Smoking is one thing that can be avoided, and it should be.

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smitty to ChynaP 2012/02/24 18:47:53

Did second hand smoke ever kill a child?

Did a drunk adult ever get into a car with a child and cause its death by driving drunk.

Did the same happen and a child died because the adult was smoking a cig?

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ChynaP to smitty 2012/02/24 19:08:17

like i said somethings can still be avoided.

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smitty to ChynaP 2012/02/24 20:03:25

Almost anything can be avoided. I would say 99.99999999999999999999% of the thing can be avoided. Lock yourself away.. Avoid life and all it has to offer.

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ChynaP to smitty 2012/02/26 01:18:07

+1
nah its just as a parent your supposed to provide the cleanest healthiest lifestyle for you child as possible. People who smoke around their kids are simply selfish and put their addiction to smoking before the health and welfare of their children.

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