The pungent scent of cigarette smoke lingered in the air. To be fair, the individual smoking seemed to be making an effort to avoid blowing the fumes toward the nearby children. He was positioned along the edge of the playground fence, his back to the joyful chaos of kids at play. Still, the noxious odor that made my son’s awkward swings from bar to bar unbearable felt as if it were directly assaulting us. As the acrid smell filled my lungs, I could already anticipate the familiar protest from my children: “It’s not fair.”
Here’s the reality about cigarette smoke: it isn’t like a discarded beer can, chewing tobacco, or even a used needle—none of which I want near my kids either. Smoke doesn’t just vanish; it drifts and lingers.
I wouldn’t consider myself overly uptight, but I firmly believe that the rules posted at playgrounds exist for a reason. Admittedly, I’ve broken the guideline about food and drinks on the playground more times than I can count. My kids expend a ton of energy climbing, swinging, and running, so they occasionally need a snack.
However, when it comes to the “No Smoking” sign, there is absolutely no ambiguity. My children should not have to navigate through a cloud of smoke in a space meant for their enjoyment and safety.
As a parent, I’ve grappled with how best to confront situations like this. Bringing up the posted rules to a smoker seems prudish and out of line. I’ve tried politely asking smokers to extinguish their cigarettes, only to be met with indifference or hostility. Sarcasm would likely prompt a similar response. Allowing my kids to continue playing in an environment where they might be exposed to secondhand smoke is simply not an option.
Usually, my only recourse is to inform my children that we must leave, whether it’s heading home or finding another playground—one that maintains a smoke-free atmosphere. Their complaints of unfairness are valid. It isn’t fair that my children have to endure a situation created by someone else ignoring the rules. It isn’t fair that I must adjust my plans because another individual disregards the serious health risks posed by secondhand smoke.
Research has shown that exposure to secondhand smoke can have grave, long-lasting impacts on our children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 7,000 chemicals are found in secondhand smoke, with hundreds being toxic and at least 70 known to cause cancer. Besides cancer, secondhand smoke contributes to chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and cognitive issues in children. Here are some of the most detrimental effects of secondhand smoke on youth:
- Children with asthma who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk for more frequent and severe asthma attacks, according to the CDC.
- Exposure increases the likelihood of lung cancer, ear infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis, as noted by Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights.
- Children exposed to secondhand smoke face a higher chance of cognitive impairments, affecting their learning capabilities. An estimated 21.9 million children are at risk of reading deficits due to secondhand smoke.
- Secondhand smoke can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks, with non-smokers increasing their risk of heart disease by 25 to 30 percent when exposed, according to the CDC.
With smoke still invading the air around us, I gathered my boys and announced that we had to leave. I could see their disappointment reflected in their eyes before they even voiced it, so I preemptively said, “I know, boys. It’s not fair.” In my mind, I added, but it’s a better option than the alternative.
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In summary, navigating the complexities of parenting often involves making tough decisions, especially when it comes to protecting our children from harmful environments. While it may not feel fair at times, prioritizing their health and safety is always the right choice.