When Missing Zippo Lighters Are the Least of a Parent's Worries By Bradlley Mckoy At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Parents, when you observe that your Zippo lighters are constantly missing, don't immediately think that your children are using them for purposes other than burning the trash. Say, like smoking.

With the new trend in smoking Smarties, your children will have no need for Zippo lighters to light up. Read on and find out, that is, if you have been living under the rock of recession.

Smoking Smarties Described

Actually, smoking is not the right technical term for the newest fad among children. Since there is no smoke being inhaled into the lungs and out of the mouth and nostrils, it is not in the league of cigarette smoking.

Instead, dust particles are inhaled and exhaled through the mouth, and in some instances, through the nose. These dust particles come from crushed Smarties in its tube packaging although other candy brands like Conversation Hearts, Necco Wafers, SweeTarts and Pixy Stix can be used. Thus, there is absolutely no need for Zippo lighters to "light up" because the candy can be crushed by the sheer force of a child's hand.

When exhaled through the mouth, the fine dust particles look like cigarette smoke even when viewed from a few feet away. When coupled with the tube packaging, which looks like cigar packed in white paper, parents can be fooled into thinking that their kids are smoking cigarettes!

Dangers Involved

Lest you think that there is no physical danger in smoking Smarties, either because no harmful cigarette substances are involved or no fire-inducing devices like Zippo lighters are used, think again. There are health risks that doctors are providing warnings for parents and teachers alike.

First, the fine dust particles can cause throat and nose irritations, which can spread to the lungs when these are inhaled. Although these particles will dissolve in time, as a responsible parent, you have to err on the side of caution. Not only is your child's safety at stake, so are your wallet's contents.

Second, with frequent usage comes the risk of infections to the respiratory system. There is even a possibility albeit rare that maggots will grow inside the nose, fed by the sugary dust.

Third, and most alarming, children will be lead to believe that smoking is a harmless hobby. Whatever efforts poured into educating your children about the dangers of smoking might very well go down in dust. Even your efforts to tell your children to keep their hands off from your multi-purpose Zippo lighters to avoid house fires can go up in ashes because your credibility will be questioned!

Indeed, the physical and mental dangers involved in this deceivingly simple way of freaking parents out of their minds must be stopped by the parents themselves! Of course, it also greatly helps that school administrations are making the activity a punishable offense.

As parents, you can always do something to educate your children about the dangers brought by cigarette smoking. It will also help your cause if you stop smoking yourself. After all, children will follow the example of adults!

In short, you have to practice what you preach and stop letting cigarettes, Zippo lighters and your mouth meet.

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