Children's Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Private Homes and Cars: An Ethical Analysis

Secondhand smoke is a known cause of disease in nonsmokers, contributing to lung cancer, heart disease and sudden infant death syndrome, among other diseases. In response to the growing body of scientific literature linking secondhand smoke with serious diseases, many countries, states and cities have established policies mandating smokefree public spaces. Yet thousands of children remain unprotected from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke in private homes and cars. New smokefree initiatives have targeted these spaces, raising ethical questions about constraints on private behavior. We will review legislation and court cases related to such initiatives, and analyze the ethical implications of policies banning smoking in private cars and homes where children are present, using a principlist approach.