I will only smack/spank a child while they are toddlers, I think a tap on the hand with a nice big NO when they go to touch the fire or a plug socket or wont come when you call them is not a bad thing.

Being consistant with any punishment will work its not the smack/spank its the consistantsy, I choose to smack/spank others choose to just use a raised voice and remove the child.

It also depends on the child, as with my eldest a look is enough, with my second well you could take a base ball bat to him and it would make no difference, with my third a tap on the hand was needed, with my fourth lots of taps on the hand, with my fith well she was never naughty (I mean it ! ) with my sixth you need the smack/spank on the bottem with the big NO more often as he is a defient and strong willed child.

So saying you are going to or not going to smack/spank your children is a statement you cant really make untill you have that child in front of you.