What are your 'rules' about people smoking around your children?

[AndiE]

We're lucky that none of our family or circle of friends smokes. However, if they did they wouldn't be doing it anywhere near my children.
I'll even steer me and the kids well clear of anyone smoking if we're out and about ... though honestly, the main place I now see smokers is near the entrances of shopping centres.

Funny to think that less than 20 years ago people could smoke in the workplace and on planes ... thank God times have changed.

[Kaydee]

My parents were heavy smokers, especially my father. He would smoke non-stop all day, so he also smoked in the car. In the winter his (very evil) wife would flat-out refuse to let us open a window. I could go on and on and on but bottom line is, as a child I wasn't protected in those situations. Ever. Those situations happened every day. I have never smoked, not once.
When I went to stay with my father as an adult, I asked if they could smoke outside while we were staying with them as my son was there also. They agreed. I noticed *she* was smoking at night inside after we went to bed. I kindly asked to stop - she grunted. The very next night she did it again, I went out to ask her to stop, again, she replied with "It's my F*****G house, I can do what I want". I left the next morning. We don't talk anymore.

This will NEVER happen with my children. If someone smokes near my kids, I move them away. I think it is so disrespectful for anyone to start smoking near children. Just yesterday 2 people lit up right next to my DD sleeping in her pram. Boy did they get "the look" as I moved her away.

[delphmoon]

If someone smokes near my kids, I move them away. I think it is so disrespectful for anyone to start smoking near children. Just yesterday 2 people lit up right next to my DD sleeping in her pram. Boy did they get "the look" as I moved her away.

Absolutly. the nerve of some people to light up right there in front of a baby/child. Makes me fume!!!

[JLeigh29]

I don't have 'rules' about smoking per se, as I've never had to. But watch out anyone who starts smoking around my boy - it's probably the thing I feel most strongly about! I will time my entrance to shopping centres if there's people smoking outside - we will pretty much run in the door!
I too am 'allergic' to cigarette smoke. Fortunately no family or friends smoke so it's not an issue we've had to deal with.
I've had to move house when I was at uni because the neighbours smoked and have had to change hotel rooms a few times because of the smell of stale smoke. I just have to scoff when I hear people say they don't smoke around their kids/their partner doesn't smoke around their kids (and so what they're doing is perfectly ok) but they still smoke in the house where their kids live, the car where their kids sit etc. The carcinogens don't just disappear when the smoke goes out! It would be a deal breaker in any relationship (including friends or a partner whose close extended family smoked).
I taught a child once whose family were obviously heavy smokers - he absolutely stunk of smoke. His homework book would stink so badly I'd have a coughing fit every time I went near it so I started getting the children to correct their own homework and glue in my comments so I didn't have to touch it!
Rant over, point made!

[chody47]

No one smokes near my little one. I also don't like anyone stinking if smoke around her due to the effects of third hand smoke. Unfortunately I have lost my dad because of this. He smokes anlot and always stinks. He refused to wear a clean jumper and wash his hands near my daughter and said that if I won't let him be 'him' around her then have a nice life. Not an awesome decision to make but of couse I chose her and her safety.

[AngelPants]

nope definately no overreacting, i would have gone NUTS if that was DF.
i have cracked it several times at people for blowing smoke on DS, once when he was only a couple of months old. its something that is learned thru seeing as well as smelling/breathing in so we try to avoid any smoking, thankfully only one cousin smokes and thats it and no friends. my mum used to but has quit thank god.

[shan23]

No one smokes near DS, but in saying that I need to find my inner b**** & tell the IL's off next time we are there. Not that it will be happening soon anyway. They smoke & have always smoked in their house so we refuse to take DS there. Then MIL told us they had stopped, so we went & visited. I walked in the house & thought it smelt weird, and sure enough found an ashtray in the lounge room. We were outside for 10-15mins & they were quite happy to light up around DS, so I took him back inside (not that it was much better!). And then not to mention she put her finger in his mouth with tomato sauce on it afterwards without washing her hands!!! God I wanted to spork her eyes out. I always swore if something like that happened I would speak up, but I lost my tongue & felt intimidated. Not anymore though, I cant let that happen again.
DP is also a smoker & agrees with me about his parents & not visiting anymore. He doesnt smoke in the house or car.

[lee09]

I need to hijack this thread and have a vent. MIL is a smoker. I've spoken to DH and told him it's up to him to set the rules re smoking around DS. He agreed, but said when they took bub for a walk in the park, he thought that was an acceptable time for her to smoke. We got in a bit of a fight and didn't resolve the issue. I broached the subject, that I didn't want her smoking around DS. I tried to explain that smoking around DS is something I feel very strongly about. DH stood there and said nothing. I wouldn't have said anything if I thought DH would back me up and say no to her smoking in the park, but I don't think he would have. He'll just be so angry with me that I've upset his mother.
My mum is an occasional smoker and I've set the same rules for her. Why should this be any different?

[Kmn]

Lee,
you need to find a way you MIL can have her fix and some time with DS without him being smokified - it may be as simple as telling your DH to take MIL for a walk in the park and text you when the smoking is over and you'll bring DS.
If you try and stop her smoking altogether you'll have a grumpy addict to deal with - and that's probably not in your best interests.
good luck!