According to FOX54 reported on August 9, Alabama enacted a new law, according to this law, in the car with children under the age of 14, smoking or using electronic cigarettes will be considered illegal.
Experts warn of the dangers of e-cigarettes to children
Dr. Wes Stubblefield of the Alabama Department of Public Health noted that smoking around children in any situation can have negative effects.
He said:
“What you exhale after vaping is not just water vapor. These include things like nicotine, but also other ultra-fine particles that go into the lungs and as the smoke you exhale comes back into the air, children can inhale these things and affect their bodies in a different way than adults.”
The new Alabama law makes it clear that smoking or e-cigarette use is prohibited when there are passengers under the age of 14 in the vehicle.
Community health worker David Battle says it’s not just secondhand smoke that’s a concern, but third-hand smoke as well.
“Third hand smoke is when smoke or chemicals remain on surrounding objects. This may include car seats, babies, pets, and clothing. And these residues do not dissipate, just like entering a room where someone is already smoking, you can still smell the smoke. The residue is still there.”
Or lead to addiction problems
Early exposure can also lead to another problem — addiction.
The brain doesn’t fully develop until the age of 25 to 30, Bartel explained. But the brain is still developing. So any chemicals or toxins that are introduced can impede this process and hinder its potential.
“Nicotine is addictive and affects neural connections in the brain. That’s where addiction comes in and plays an important role.”
References:
[1] the New Alabama law makes it illegal to smoke or vape if kids are in the car