Quote Originally Posted by Inknsteel View Post
While I agree with you to a certain extent, I think that we don't know the OPs situation and there are likely other factors that we don't know about that necessitated the current arrangement. I agree that the focus should be on the best interests of the child, but I don't advocate going through the courts to settle disagreements about day to day care. If there is no threat to the child's immediate well being, don't expect the courts to do anything, at least not quickly. You could be waiting months or longer to even get in front of a judge, who would more likely refer the parents to a mediator rather than effect a change in custody. Also, the courts would take the child's age into consideration. At 16 years old, the likelihood of being granted a change of residential custody over something like smoking is practically nil... Do what you can do and try to be content in the knowledge that you are doing everything that is within your power.
You make a valid point. And I agree that we do not know her current custody arrangement (could live in another state etc). My main issue would be basically the fact that anyone with common sense would be "ok" with their teenage daughter doing something that could possibly endanger her life at some point in the future. It is easy to quit for some people (I quit cold turkey) but the fact remains that nicotine is a very addictive drug. Who's to say once hooked, she'd be able to stop without the aid of another drug (chantex, patch etc). The fact that any parent would be ok with that is just utterly stupid and careless on their part. You can agree or disagree with that but it is just my op.