I agree that 'smack' isn't a good term. I thought the basis of the law change (if that is what happened, I might be wrong?) was that it prevented any potential for arguement over what is child abuse and what is discipline. If a smack is meant to cause pain, it's too much IMO but I know parents who completely disagree and say that the pain is what stops them from doing the behaviour again. When does it stop being discipline and start being abusive IYWIM?