Let’s work to make indoor air cleaner
As a pediatrician, one of the first questions I ask families and caregivers of my young patients is, “Is there smoking in your home?” Their answer is foundational to the guidance I provide to the families of my pediatric patients, especially if the children are coming into my care for ear infections, asthma or respiratory infections.
Most often, parents or caregivers want to do the right thing for their children. They may try to smoke by a window, or with a door open in an attempt to protect their children. The fact is, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke — and research shows that children are often exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and cars. In Oklahoma, 1 in 5 kids lives with secondhand smoke.
The smallest exposure to secondhand smoke can impact the development of a child’s lungs and respiratory system. Secondhand smoke also is a factor in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Children have limited options for avoiding secondhand smoke. They depend on the adults in their lives to protect them from the toxic exposure.
Smokefree home policies are an added layer of protection from secondhand smoke exposure for children. Starting July 31, public housing authorities fully funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are smoke free in individual units and common areas.
This is a step to improve the health of Oklahomans and protect children from tobacco use. Smokefree policies help smokers quit, help quitters stay quit and prevent young people from starting. As a member of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Board of Directors, I see regularly that many communities, schools and businesses want to play a part in improving health, and TSETfunded grants and programs are here to help.
Staff on TSET grants across the state have worked with public housing agencies for the past year to prepare facilities and residents for the new smokefree rules. Grant staff have provided information about the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline’s free cessation services and the free two weeks of patches, gum and lozenges for Oklahomans who register at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or online at OKhelpline. com. TSET grants have helped some housing authorities provide even greater protection for residents with tobaccofree or vape-free policies.
While other states are enacting policies that raise the age to purchase tobacco or electronic smoking devices to 21, or provide the public comprehensive protection from secondhand smoke, Oklahoma’s laws have room to improve.
Oklahoma’s clean indoor air laws have loopholes that expose workers to cancer-causing secondhand smoke. It's not illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a child. There are no limits on flavored tobacco — which is usually among the first tobacco products for experimentation among youth.
Oklahoma would be wise to follow the path of other states in our region and across the nation that have continued to modernize tobacco laws and policies for the health of their citizens. Our youngest and most vulnerable Oklahomans are looking to us to set the example and insist on protection.
Knoles practices in Oklahoma City.