Smoking in Cars and Children's Health

While legislation exists for adults to be protected from second-hand smoke in pubs and other closed facilities, it becomes a question of child-friendly laws and health safety of children inside cars that get to inhale cigarette smoke from adults. It is argued that there is no good reason for children to suffer from the negative health consequences that their parents' smoke addiction can bring about. This is an act of negligence that is practically the same as to child cruelty.

Studies have shown that in every year there are 17,000 children being admitted to hospital care due to the direct effects of second-hand smoke. Cases ranging from asthma, chest infections, and ear problems are observed in kids that have been exposed to cigarette smoke, either in cars or elsewhere. Aside from these, when mothers smoke during the term of their pregnancy, babies are born less in weight and have higher risks of developmental issues. Sudden Death Infant Syndrome is attributed to mothers who expose their foetuses with cigarette chemicals. Moreover, children below 18 years of age are more likely to irritate their Eustachian tube resulting to hear loss and multiple ear infection as they reach their twenties. Since children's bodies are still in the process of physical development, not to mention that their breathing rate is faster than in adults, they face higher health risks and susceptibility against toxic gases.

Children practically have less control over the factors in their environment. Thus, it is always in the best interest of the adults to protect their young against harmful elements anytime and anywhere. Protect or minimise the exposure of children from second-hand smoke by being responsible in handling smoking activities whenever inside cars or even at homes.