WASHINGTON - s4story -- Santa Claus will deliver toys this year without his pipembecause of growing concerns about his health, the health of Mrs. Claus, and the growing number of court orders and even laws prohibiting smoking in homes with children.

This way, Santa said in an email, he will not be endangering the health of billions of children, many of whom have medical conditions which make them especially sensitive to secondhand tobacco smoke.

Reacting to the growing evidence that even small amounts of secondhand tobacco smoke pose very serious health risks to young children, and especially to the tens of millions who already have asthma, hay fever, sinusitis, or other respiratory problems and sensitivities, Santa said that he has given up smoking, and urged parents of young children to do the same as a Christmas gift to their offspring.

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He noted that the New York Times had reported, "At least 6,200 children die each year in the United States because of their parents' smoking, killed by such things as lung infections and burns . . More young children are killed by parental smoking than by all unintentional injuries combined."

Santa also noted that in thousands of homes, both here and abroad, all smoking is banned by court order or, in the case of homes where foster children live, by legislation or agency regulations.

Santa urged parents to follow his example, or at least not to smoke within a home where there are children.

Santa's decision was announced by public interest law professor John Banzhaf, who had written a letter to old Saint Nick.  Instead of asking for presents, Banzhaf asked Santa to note that times have changed, and that what was once seen as a harmless habit is now known to be a deadly danger to children. Fortunately, Santa agreed.

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Prior letters by Banzhaf led to antismoking messages on radio and television, the end to cigarette commercials, bans on smoking in many public places, judges issuing orders prohibiting smoking in custody cases, bans on smoking in the homes of foster children, and a 50% surcharge on smokers under Obamacare.

"Christmas is about children, and it is wonderful that Santa Claus is setting such a great example in protecting them from tobacco smoke pollution. The most important and lasting gift any smoker can give a child is to give up smoking, or at least to stop smoking around his or her children," said Banzhaf.

He also urged grandparents to exert their influence to protect their grandchildren from dangerous tobacco smoke pollution caused by the children's parents, or even visitors to the child's home.

http://banzhaf.net/   jbanzhaf3ATgmail.com   @profbanzhaf