Stubbed out: Redbridge Council has banned smokers from fostering children
Posted on 10/29/2008 12:37:24 PM PDT by Stoat
SMOKERS will be banned from fostering children under radical measures to be introduced in London.
Redbridge council is thought to be the first in the country to implement the rules, despite a shortage of 2,000 foster carers across the capital.
The move is aimed at limiting children's exposure to the effects of passive and second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco.
The new smoking policy, to be voted on next week, will apply to all foster carers except family members who are known as "private foster carers".
From this year all new applicants who smoke will be advised at an early stage of the process that their smoking habits will be taken into consideration along with other health issues. But from 2010 there will be an absolute ban on new foster carers who smoke.
All existing carers will have a discussion about smoking at their annual review and during home visits.
Those wishing to give up will be given support and advice from their supervising social worker and information on the effects of passive smoking.
Rules will be particularly strict for children under five, those with a disability who are unable to play outside or those with respiratory problems.
Michael Stark, cabinet member for children's services, said: "While the council recognises the proven skills and abilities of its carers who smoke, it is essential that the health of our looked-after children is protected.
"Unlike adults, children have little choice about whether or not to be in a smoky environment, so I hope the cabinet will take the decision to limit the harmful effects this drug can have." Latest advice from the NHS says people who breathe second-hand smoke are at risk of the same diseases as smokers including cancer and heart disease because second-hand smoke contains 4,000 toxic chemicals.
Director of tobacco studies at Cancer Research, Professor Robert West, said: "Smoking around children can exacerbate asthma, increase childhood cancers and make them more susceptible to respiratory problems.
"Fostering is a difficult area and, although it sounds harsh, I think this ban is a good thing. On balance you have to go with the health of the child."
However smokers' right group Forest said the proposals were being made by "health fascists".
Spokesman Neil Rafferty said: "There are many millions of smokers who would make brilliant foster parents. It's really troubling. Next they'll be banning obese people for setting a bad example. Where will it end?
Other councils have said that while they support the ethos of a ban, they do not want to discourage carers.
How long before parents' smoking will be redefined as 'child abuse'?
fat people, conservatives - next
gay, heroin addicts - ok
after that, parents who feed their kids McDonalds and junk foods.
I know some people in upstate New York who took in 2 badly abused kids about 8 years ago, and they were told that if they didn’t stop smoking the children would be taken away from them.
Smoking fags disqualifies one from being a foster parent but being a fag doesn’t...It’s an upside world.
I loath smoking and support smoking bans in public places however this is over the top stupid. Fat foster parents will be next.
Why don’t they just have all the smokers rounded up and shot? That’s where they want to go with this, after all.
Smoking among childbearing-aged adults in America would be a big red flag for me. It would be unlikely that the smoker would be mature.
That being said, there a number of other bigger flags that do not count against a couple.
How true
Yes, not being around smoke is so much more important than not having parents
Already in Texas, IIRC. Also, no smoking in a car with children as passengers.
Let me tell you that I grew up in the foster care in England and the social services are useless.
I have reports I got from them when I turned 18 where I was getting knocked around all the time , beaten up really bad so much that one woman broke her wrist hitting me as a kid but they kept keeping me in these places
not long ago a fat bloke could not adopt unless he lost the weight.
but two homo’s can adopt and subject these poor kids to mental cruelty .
I know one kid who killed himself because his mother left the father for another women , bit on the side to to speak, he grew up all messed up and I heard a couple of years later he killed himself.
A friend I was with growing up said that this lad loved women but thought he might be a lesbian.
well done social services of England
If there is one group of people I detest based on experience it is the social services in England.
The amount of kids who were mistreated because they were too busy was appalling.
why not let the likes of me adopt them , I have 3 kids of my own but now live in America and I would love to adopt two more kids.
As for smoking, well I smoke , gave up for years but started again and not once have I ever smoked in the house or car nor do I even smoke in front of my kids.
My kids are all healthy, my oldest is a boxer who has won plenty of medals and was in the Boston globe for it, he is 10.
All my kids never get in trouble, all get A’s unlike I me on both things.
Because I smoke does that make me not eligible for them
ARF.
sorry for the rant
No need for any apology, my FRiend :-)
Your perspective and participation is always sincerely appreciated exactly the way they are delivered.
Sorry to hear about the brutality of your upbringing, but the fact that you have done so well for yourself speaks volumes to your strength.
Please don't feel any need to temper your views...we need more reality-based posts such as yours and others here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.