How is it possible that smoking is prohibited in playgrounds but not in cars with children?

To say that smoking kills is nothing new, but the figures are still spiky. In the world there are almost 1,000 million men and 250 million women who smoke. In addition, it is estimated that between 82,000 and 99,000 young people start smoking every day; many of them are children under 10 years according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Disturbing, right?

So far we have cited those who voluntarily decide to expose themselves to the harm of tobacco, but what happens to children? What are the consequences of involuntary exposure of children to tobacco? Even worse, How is it possible that smoking is prohibited in playgrounds but not in cars?

Consequences of exposure to tobacco smoke in children

In 2016, the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) issued a statement warning of the consequences that it may cause to expose minors to tobacco, some of them such as:

  • Sudden death of the infant.

  • Asthma.

  • Pneumonia.

  • Severe cardiac pathologies

  • Probability of developing atrial fibrillation in adulthood.

  • Tobacco stimulates the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

  • Predisposition to suffer diabetes.

Anti-smoking law: smoking is prohibited in playgrounds

On January 2, 2011, the new anti-tobacco law in Spain entered into force, which contained in article 7 the following:

"Smoking is prohibited, in addition to those places or spaces defined in the regulations of the Autonomous Communities, in: (...) w) Precincts of playgrounds and playgrounds or areas for children, understanding such spaces free spaces that contain equipment or conditioners specifically designed for the play and recreation of minors. "

This meant entering to regulate for the first time in Spain the consumption of outdoor tobacco. But without a doubt to protect children from tobacco, much remains to be done.

Prohibit tobacco in cars

According to Florentino Pérez Raya, president of the Nursing Council, he states that tobacco smoke contains 7,000 substances (250 very harmful and 70 carcinogenic) that remain in a smoker's vehicle for weeks. Moreover, if we analyzed a smoker's car we would find more harmful particles than there was in a bar before the anti-smoking law.

Countries like France, United Kingdom, South Africa and some states of the United States They have already taken action on the matter and have banned smoking in cars while children are on board.

The reality remains that the 30% of deaths due to passive smoking in the world occur in children, according to the World Health Organization, and if we want to put an end to these figures, the best solution is to remove the smallest tobacco from their usual areas, the home, recreational areas and the car.

Video: Alberta Bans Smoking in Cars When Kids Are Present (March 2024).