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EDITORIAL: Bans rarely an answer  

Add more ammunition to the arsenal of anti-smoking efforts with the latest report on secondhand smoke from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to researchers, more than 1 in 5 high school and middle school student are passengers in cars while others are smoking. (One caveat: In the case of the high school students, the study did not determine if they were in cars with their parents or their peers.) . . .

But turning smokers into criminals isn’t the answer. Raising cigarette prices has been somewhat effective, although that has created a black-market trade that will only get worse.

Attempts at prohibition didn’t work with alcohol. And let’s be honest: It hasn’t worked with drugs. Why would we expect it to work with tobacco?

Education would be a more worthy effort, if we spent as much time — and funding — on discussion as we spend trying to dictate individual behavior.

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Ohio may ban smoking in cars 

Hoping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other childhood illnesses linked to secondhand smoke exposure, Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal to smoke in vehicles when young children are present.

Some local residents say the bill, recently introduced into the Ohio Senate, is too invasive, while others say it doesn't go far enough because it would only protect children who are younger than 6.

Anthony Azzi, 21, of Marietta, said he smokes, but that he would never smoke with a child in the car.

"It should be illegal to smoke with children in a car with you," he said. "But if they're going to do this, they should look out for kids until they're at least 16...At that age, they should have the ability to drive themselves or commute some other way."

Kim Reinhold, of Cincinnati, was in Marietta visiting family on Monday. She said the proposed bill seems invasive, but that she would probably be in favor of such a law.

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Less Smoke Exposure in Teens' Cars 

Action Points

Explain that fewer teens are inhaling secondhand smoke in cars, as efforts continue to limit youth exposure to the potential harms of tobacco.

Point out that despite this improvement, just over one-fifth of nonsmoking students reported secondhand smoke exposure in a car in the previous seven days.

Fewer teens are inhaling secondhand smoke in cars, as efforts continue to limit youth exposure to the potential harms of tobacco, a nationwide survey found.

From 2000 to 2009, the number of adolescents overall who reported riding in cars with someone smoking fell from 48.1% to 29.8% (P<0.001 for trend), according to Brian A. King, PhD, and colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

And during that time, the percentage of nonsmoking teens exposed to secondhand smoke in cars decreased from 39% to 22.8%, which was a 71.1% change, the researchers reported online ahead of print in the March issue of Pediatrics.

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Health group backs Welsh ban on smoking in cars 

PUBLIC health bosses in Cumbria have reiterated their stance against smoking in cars after the Welsh government said it could consider an outright ban.

STUB IT OUT: The Welsh Assembly is considering introducing a smoking ban in cars to protect children if a new voluntary campaign is not successful

The Welsh Assembly this week launched a campaign aiming to protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke, with a view to bringing in a ban if it is not successful within the next three years.

The drive is similar to action taken by health chiefs and Cumbria Tobacco Alliance last year. Posters reminding drivers about the dangers of smoking in cars were sent to every garage in the county.

The Cumbria-wide campaign was launched last July, after a survey of 713 smokers and non-smokers in the county found overwhelming support for a ban.

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Secondhand Smoke An Unwelcome Passenger In Cars With Kids 

About 1 in 5 kids in middle school or high school is exposed to secondhand smoke in cars.

Sitting in a car with a smoker is about as close to lighting up as a nonsmoker can get.

And quite a few schoolchildren get exposed to secondhand smoke this way, according to an estimate by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 1 in 5 nonsmoking kids in middle and high school reported sharing a car with a smoker who had lit up within a week of answering a survey in 2009. The researchers say the survey, which included responses from thousands of students, gives an accurate snapshot of what's happening across the country.

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Debates On for In-car Anti-smoking Laws 

As per recent reports, it has been revealed that Wales Health campaigners are laboring over persuading the massed for avoiding smoking when in cars, especially while there are kids on board. If it fails to work out, then there are possibilities that the Welsh Government will have to come up with some sort of anti-smoking laws for in-car travelers.

In this regard, a Cumbria-wide crusade was instigated earlier during July 2011, which was reportedly inspired by reports reaped from a survey of more than 713 smokers as well as non-smokers from all over the region. During the course of the survey conducted to find out the public view on account of smoking ban, it was revealed that the concept of the ban got a fairly overwhelming shore up for the participants of the survey.

In excess of 73% of particulates included in the survey claimed that they are in favor of the concept that Cumbria must come up with some sort of strategy for safeguarding adults less than 18 years of age from the negative and life-threatening consequences of smoking while in cars.

On the other hand, in excess of 92% of the people expressed their consent on the point that kids have a right for not being forced into exposed with secondhand smoke while they are in enclosed spaces, such as those in the likes of malls, colleges and cars, of course.

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Advertising campaign to stop people smoking in cars launched today 

The first nationwide attempt to stop people smoking in cars carrying children will be launched today.

The high-profile advertising campaign could be a precursor to a ban on smoking in cars if it fails to reduce the number of children exposed to secondhand smoke.

First Minister Carwyn Jones today said the Welsh Government would not "shy away" from legislation if it's needed in three years' time.

Parents will be encouraged to pledge not to smoke in cars when their children are present via a raft of hard-hitting adverts.

Launching the Fresh Start Wales campaign today, Wales' chief medical officer Dr Tony Jewell, said: "Children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke, especially in vehicles where a confined space means there is no respite from the harm of the toxic chemicals in cigarettes.

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Too many kids exposed to secondhand smoke in cars; more restrictions needed, CDC study says 

Texting while driving, speeding and back-seat hanky-panky aren't all that parents need to worry about when their kids are in cars: Add secondhand smoke to the list.

In the first national estimate of its kind, a report from government researchers says more than 1 in 5 high school students and middle schoolers ride in cars while others are smoking.

This kind of secondhand smoke exposure has been linked with breathing problems and allergy symptoms, and more restrictions are needed to prevent it, the report says.

With widespread crackdowns on smoking in public, private places including homes and cars are where people encounter secondhand smoke these days. Anti-smoking advocates have zeroed in on cars because of research showing they're potentially more dangerous than smoke-filled bars and other less confined areas.

The research, from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was released online Monday in Pediatrics.

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Bill proposed to ban smoking 

A bill that would fine adults for smoking in vehicles where children are present could make its way to a vote this year.

Sponsored by Sen. Hillman Frazier, the measure, Senate Bill 2016, would create a $50 fine for any adult convicted of violating the legislation.

"These are concerns about the health and safety of our young people," said Frazier, D-Jackson. "This to help those who don't have a choice."

The proposed bill, currently sitting in a Senate committee, would not ban adults from smoking in vehicles where no children are present, Frazier said.

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Anti-smoking in cars scheme gets into gear 

A DRIVE to protect youngsters from the effects of second-hand smoke in cars has been backed by motorists.

From today, parents and other carers are being called on to pledge to keep their cars smoke-free as part of the Fresh Start Wales campaign.

The Welsh Government is behind the launch and the campaign is aimed at helping to prevent youngsters being put at risk of conditions, such as asthma.

Marc Lewis, 35, a sales rep from Morriston, said: "Myself and my partner are non-smokers but I think it should be treated the same way as using a mobile phone at the wheel. You can't concentrate with a cigarette in your hand. I don't agree with it."

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Study: Children most vulnerable to second-hand smoke 

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control may be the incentive smokers need. The report reminds people of the harms of second-hand smoke, and says children can be the most vulnerable.

Because of the confined and small space, cars can be even more dangerous.  Kim Harbaugh, a proud grandmother and former teacher hopes people will listen to the warnings.

"It would be so sad to see little kids get out of car where a parent was smoking and you could see the smoke come out of the car.  All day long the kids smelled like smoke.  It was just sad," said Harbaugh.

"I think it's abuse if you smoke in the car with children present," said Dr. Joseph Diaco.

Strong words, but Dr. Diaco, former Chief of Surgery and Staff at St. Joeseph's Hospital as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers former chief physician for 33 years, says the medical research backs up his belief.

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1 In 5 Kids Exposed To Second Hand Smoke While In Vehicles  

A new government survey of middle and high school students shows that one in five kids are being exposed to second hand smoke while in a vehicle.

While the overall number of smokers and kids exposed to second hand smoke has dropped, experts say far too many kids are still exposed to dangerous fumes that can lead to asthma, infections, and other health problems.

Amanda Fall from Tobacco Free Allen County says, "A lot of people don't realize, just having the window down isn't doing anything. The amount of secondhand smoke exposure is more than in a smokey bar if you're in a car."

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Teens Exposed to Less Secondhand Smoke in Cars 

Secondhand smoke exposure in cars declined among U.S. middle and high school students between 2000 and 2009.

The number of young people who reported riding in a car with someone who was smoking cigarettes "within the past seven days" during the study period fell from about 48% to nearly 30% over a 10-year period, a new study shows.

This downward trend in secondhand smoke exposure was seen across all ages of middle and high school students, genders, and ethnic groups.

During this stretch of time, the number of teens who were nonsmokers rose. Kids who said they had not had a cigarette within the last 30 days went from a low of about 80% in 2000 to a high of about 88% in 2009.

For the study, published online in the journal Pediatrics, researchers analyzed data collected for the National Youth Tobacco Survey. American students in grades six through 12 from public, private, and Catholic schools across the country completed the survey five different times during a 10-year span. Between 18,000 and 27,000 students participated.

The researchers admit that considerable progress has been made over the last decade in reducing students� exposure to secondhand smoke while in cars. Still, they found that nearly 23% of nonsmoking students had breathed in secondhand smoke in motor vehicles in the week leading up to the survey.

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Less Smoke Exposure in Teens' Cars 

Action Points

Explain that fewer teens are inhaling secondhand smoke in cars, as efforts continue to limit youth exposure to the potential harms of tobacco.

Point out that despite this improvement, just over one-fifth of nonsmoking students reported secondhand smoke exposure in a car in the previous seven days.

Fewer teens are inhaling secondhand smoke in cars, as efforts continue to limit youth exposure to the potential harms of tobacco, a nationwide survey found.

From 2000 to 2009, the number of adolescents overall who reported riding in cars with someone smoking fell from 48.1% to 29.8% (P<0.001 for trend), according to Brian A. King, PhD, and colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

And during that time, the percentage of nonsmoking teens exposed to secondhand smoke in cars decreased from 39% to 22.8%, which was a 71.1% change, the researchers reported online ahead of print in the March issue of Pediatrics.

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Fewer Teens Exposed to Tobacco Smoke in Cars: Report 

Although fewer kids are being exposed to smoking while riding in cars, more than 20 percent of nonsmoking teens still are, U.S. health officials report.

Secondhand smoke can be particularly intense in a closed space, such as inside a car, and poses a significant health risk, the researchers noted.

"There have been marked decreases in exposure to smoking in cars," said report author Brian King, an epidemic intelligence service officer in the Office on Smoking and Health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "That decrease occurred whether they were nonsmokers or smokers," he noted.

"But what is alarming is that, despite that decrease, we are still seeing large levels of exposure, particularly among nonsmokers," King said. "One in five nonsmokers is still exposed to secondhand smoke in that environment."

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