Research reveals dangers of second-hand smoke
More than 800 children visit their doctor every day due to the effects of being exposed to second-hand smoke, according to research published by the Royal College of Physicians in the UK.
The figures have been highlighted today as the British Government launches a campaign to increase awareness of the hidden dangers of smoking in homes and cars.
Millions of children in the UK are exposed to second-hand smoke daily, which puts them at increased risk of lung disease, meningitis and cot death.
A survey found that of 679 smoking parents 68% of them who smoke admit to doing so in the car with their children present, while 75% of smoking parents were shocked to hear that second-hand smoke affects the health of so many children.
More than 80% of second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless, and contains harmful cancer-causing toxins and poisons.
Television adverts will show that smoking out of a car window or the backdoor is not enough to protect children from second-hand smoke.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said: “It’s well known that smoking kills, but many smokers still don’t realise the damage their smoke causes to those around them.
“Second-hand smoke can be an invisible killer and with more than 300,000 people seeing their GP each year because of it, we need to make sure people know how dangerous it can be.”
Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said he hoped the figures would be a “wake-up call”.
“We hope these figures showing the number of children who need hospital treatment for the effects of second-hand smoke and the information contained in the campaign will provide a wake-up call to many smokers out there.
“We must do more to protect the health of our children and making your home and car smoke free will reduce this unnecessary harm to children’s health,” he said.
Dr Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said it is “vital” that children are protected from the dangers of second-hand smoke.
“Raising awareness of the dangers, providing information and supporting parents to make healthy choices are the first steps towards this.
“We hope this campaign helps bring attention to this and encourages parents and all adults to protect their families and make their homes and cars smoke free,” he said.
The campaign was launched today and will include TV and online advertising.
Smoke free Homes and Cars is one of the marketing campaigns from NHS Smoke free, and other campaigns include Stoptober and Mutations.
