Butt out: Keeping children safe

Ryan Glenn, son of Tech. Sgt. Johnnie Glenn, 53rd Airlift Squadron medical technician, depicts a child becoming angry by breathing second-hand smoke April 17 created by the driver of the family car. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states on their Website, www.epa.gov/smokefree, second-hand smoke can cause serious health risks in children like increased asthma attacks and severity of symptoms, lower-lung respiratory tract infections and severely affects the developing lungs in young children. (Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Chad Chisholm)

Butt out: Keeping children safe

Published April 22, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Rochelle Clace
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- A state law, introduced in 2006, currently in place in Arkansas protects children, which new residents should become familiar with.

Smoking is prohibited in all motor vehicles in which a child who is less than six years of age and who weighs less than 60 pounds is restrained in a child passenger safety seat properly secured to the vehicle, according to the Arkansas code for smoking in vehicles.

The violation is subject to a fine up to $25. Any person who proves to the court that they have entered into a smoking cessation program may have their fine eliminated for a first offense, according to the Arkansas code.

"19th Security Forces Squadron members are yet to ticket offenders, rather we are advising and warning motorists of the state law requirement," said Cefus Benner, 19th SFS supervisory police officer. "19th SFS will begin to cite offenders soon."

If someone's car is registered in a state other than Arkansas, they are still required to abide by Arkansas law.

"As a driver, you must adhere to the vehicle in motion laws of the state in which you're driving," said Mr. Benner.

Science has shown that secondhand smoke is dangerous, especially for children since they have immature respiratory and immune systems.

"When children are in a car with a smoker, the toxicity of the secondhand smoke is 20 times higher than it is in the home," said Lt. Col. Valerie Clegg, 19 Medical Operations Squadron pediatrician. "This high concentration of toxins is very unhealthy and has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome, asthma attacks and increased respiratory and ear infections."

In addition, medical science doesn't know the full extent of the long term consequences in terms of possible lung disease or cancer.

"The new Arkansas law will help protect children, as they don't have a choice when they're riding in a car with a smoker, and they cannot protect themselves," said Colonel Clegg.