To Smoke or Not To Smoke ... around the kiddos?

SLCarrico

I have four wonderful children, ages 1 1/2 to 13yrs, boys and girls. Because I love them immensely I'm highly concerned about raising them to be men and women wise and full of commonsense.  When my first came along I decided to practically stop smoking my pipe because I thought it would be a "bad influence". I also let a couple more "bad habits" go the wayside for the same assumed reason (beer & wine). Under the influence of others I got all puritanical about it.
Well, I've since change my views (came to my senses as far as I'm concerned) and believe it is better to show my kids a good sense of moderation (temperance) rather than teetolalism or foolish indulgence (This in regards to Pipe smoking and Alcohol).
I smoke around my kids now, but only when outside in the open air (by the fire pit, camping, hiking, etc.)
I'm curious to know your habits and opinions, reasons for or against. What is your Modus Operandi?
P.S.
No judging if you disagree and do it differently. I've been on both sides.

SLCarrico

Woodsman

I don't smoke near little ones, when I'm out at a campground, fishing, etc. I just smoke, if a teen objects? 

tim12string

I am torn. My generation were exposed to smoke. Some smoke now and others never wanted to. I think it is a personal decion. If it makes them sick, no. If, like me & my girls, the smell of "Daddy's pipe" is comforting.

PappyJoe

We found out our youngest had asthma and allergies in 1989. I stopped smoking at home at that time. I would still enjoy a good cigar or my pipe from time to time but only when on a deployment or if I went to a poker night. When she left the house to go to college, I started smoking cigars and a couple a years later started smoking my pipes again. I don't smoke in the house now - just in the garage or in the backyard. If the grandkids are at the house and in the backyard I still smoke my pipe outside. My theory is they aren't sitting right next to me.

As for drinking around you kids, I think as long as you drink responsibly it is not a problem. In fact, the biggest lushes I knew when I was in high schools were those who came from families who absolutely forbid consuming alcohol. They were the kids who just went crazy when given booze and didn't know when to stop. 

ghostsofpompeii

I've never been much of a drinker, yet have the occasional glass of wine at a Wedding or some family function when a toast is in order, and that's about the extent of it. Everyone who knows me finally quit asking me after learning my ploy of standing around with the same open - yet untouched - bottle in my hand for hours on end. I figured if I had a bottle in my hand they'd quit asking me if I wanted a beer. But I don't have an aversion to beer or booze in general and have been known to drink a cold bottle on a hot day. And I usually celebrate Sherlock Holmes birthday with a bottle of British ale or Bass Beer. So once my kids hit adolescence they could never throw my affection for booze in my face if they came home drunk one night. I maintained an alcohol and drug-free home all the while my two boys were in the house.

Now that they're adults my oldest son has quite a stock of booze in his house - claiming it's for special occasions - so I guess my alcohol-free home wasn't that much of an influence. 

And as for pipe smoking, I did smoke my pipe in the house from time-to-time but usually when the kids were outside, at a friends house, or sleeping at the other end of the house. The majority of time I smoked around the kids was outside. And when-ever we're in mixed company, out of common courtesy,  I never smoke around other people's kids. Or adults for that matter. But if I'm at an outdoor family function or picnic - provided I'm not standing amongst the kiddies - then I'll smoke my pipe. And since my wife has respiratory problems I've made it a habit of never smoking around anyone indoors because I don't know their medical history and how my smoke might affect them.   

xDutchx

Don't try to hide your pipe smoking from kids, but don't put them in a situation where they are forced to inhale any residuals either. They are not of age to make decisions for themselves, so it is your obligation to do what is in their best interest.

I agree with PappyJoe, about not being a zealot. If you teach kids that they should enjoy things in moderation, you won't encourage the thrill of partaking in the forbidden. It's really all about teaching responsibility and accountability.