Smoking in front of young children is child abuse, according to Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
In a letter to the Observer newspaper, Field said parents who smoked in cars with young children or at home were "committing a form of child abuse". He cited evidence from the US that says more young children are killed by parental smoking than by all other unintentional injuries combined. Which, to be fair, gives his seemingly outlandish claim some context and credibility.
Having said that, should smoking really become such a central focus within child protection? No one talks about how many times a day Tracey Connelly or Steven Barker lit up, or whether Khyra Ishaq's mum had a fag after padlocking her family's fridge.
The smoking thing's always been a sticky issue - earlier this summer actress Billie Piper sparked outcry and controversy when she was papped smoking close to her baby. Obviously no one with any sense is saying lighting up at play group is a great idea, but I think Steve-o might be taking this a bit far.
Photo credit: Rex Features
In a letter to the Observer newspaper, Field said parents who smoked in cars with young children or at home were "committing a form of child abuse". He cited evidence from the US that says more young children are killed by parental smoking than by all other unintentional injuries combined. Which, to be fair, gives his seemingly outlandish claim some context and credibility.
Having said that, should smoking really become such a central focus within child protection? No one talks about how many times a day Tracey Connelly or Steven Barker lit up, or whether Khyra Ishaq's mum had a fag after padlocking her family's fridge.
The smoking thing's always been a sticky issue - earlier this summer actress Billie Piper sparked outcry and controversy when she was papped smoking close to her baby. Obviously no one with any sense is saying lighting up at play group is a great idea, but I think Steve-o might be taking this a bit far.
Photo credit: Rex Features
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