hottiescientist
Cathlete
If your child has a real medical allergy to the smoke (as opposed to, I just don't like the smell), then you should go from that point. I don't this its disrespectful at all to ask someone to stop something because you have a verifiable allergy. My sister has a very visible reaction when people smoke too close to her and most people put it out before she even asks them to because they realize what the cause of it is (I ,on the other hand, just don't like the smell). I think its only been once or twice in her 30+ years where someone refused to put it out. You can explain to the other parent that you didn't want to tell her what to do but its really flaring up the allergies and politely just ask to put it out when YOUR kid is there (she can do whatever she wants if its her kid or someone else's kid) citing the health problems. She may not believe you but who cares if she puts it out. If she doesn't or you don't want to go to through that route, go to the school system with a medical note from the doctor citing the allergy. They need to go through some effort to accommodate you but be prepared that you may have to go to a further bus stop to make this happen. But a couple phone calls and conversations and even a longer walk seem worth it if it really bothers you and your child's health re: smoking. It will probably be more effective than trying to walk a little further away from them. And honestly, since you're worried about offending them -- I gotta say, I'd be more offended if someone just didn't tell me directly that something bothered them instead of passively trying to move away when it was bothering her so much. But that's me.
As for kids are or aren't going to smoke because someone else is doing it. Yes, does someone get desensitized to the idea of smoking but does it motivate that someone to do it themselves -- I don't think so. The biggest part of why smoking went on the rise was availability, lack of information regarding the negative health effects, but mostly the "cool" effect pushed by advertising and the tv/film industry. Yes, its available but 1) in theory not to be sold to minors and 2) is heavily taxed and thus expensive. There is so much anti-smoking information out there now that I wonder if it has a reverse effect on a minority of kids. And you pretty much only see smoking in more maturely rated television and movies -- it ain't going to show up in Nick or Disney channel or before 9p on the main networks and if it does its on the "dirty" character because smoking is pretty much demonized for the most part. I grew up with some of the biggest anti-smoking ad campaigns and I had friends who knew the dangers, with parents that never smoked, who had friends that wouldn't touch the stuff, and still started smoking when we were 13. Some stopped early, some are trying to stop now. Some people are going to do it, some are going to young, but eventually if its outside your own family you have to let other people make their own, even if you think its dumb beyond words, decisions.
But I wouldn't worry about your own children! If your child is allergic to smoke, what are the chances she's actually going to pick up a cigarette?
As for kids are or aren't going to smoke because someone else is doing it. Yes, does someone get desensitized to the idea of smoking but does it motivate that someone to do it themselves -- I don't think so. The biggest part of why smoking went on the rise was availability, lack of information regarding the negative health effects, but mostly the "cool" effect pushed by advertising and the tv/film industry. Yes, its available but 1) in theory not to be sold to minors and 2) is heavily taxed and thus expensive. There is so much anti-smoking information out there now that I wonder if it has a reverse effect on a minority of kids. And you pretty much only see smoking in more maturely rated television and movies -- it ain't going to show up in Nick or Disney channel or before 9p on the main networks and if it does its on the "dirty" character because smoking is pretty much demonized for the most part. I grew up with some of the biggest anti-smoking ad campaigns and I had friends who knew the dangers, with parents that never smoked, who had friends that wouldn't touch the stuff, and still started smoking when we were 13. Some stopped early, some are trying to stop now. Some people are going to do it, some are going to young, but eventually if its outside your own family you have to let other people make their own, even if you think its dumb beyond words, decisions.
But I wouldn't worry about your own children! If your child is allergic to smoke, what are the chances she's actually going to pick up a cigarette?
