BHF: More than a third of smokers (37%) regularly
light-up in the home exposing their loved ones to the dangers of
passive smoking, according to our new survey of people who have loved
ones that smoke.
We've released the statistics on this year’s No Smoking Day and are
urging smokers to put their families first by attempting to quit,
starting today.
The survey also found that, despite the health risks of passive
smoking, the majority of people are more worried about the health of the
smoker (61%) than the effect of passive smoking on their own health
(32%). This concern has led to more than half (54%) of loved ones
pleading with the smoker in their lives to quit.
What's even more surprising, is that more than one in six (18%) are
under the misapprehension that opening a window offers them protection
from cigarette smoke’s harmful effects.
Exposure to passive smoke can also influence future behaviours –
children who are exposed to smoking in their homes are more than three
times likely to smoke than those who are brought up in smoke-free
environments.
BHF Associate Medical Director, Dr Mike Knapton, commented: “Every
week, thousands of children are exposed to passive smoke in enclosed
spaces, putting them at greater risk of respiratory infections, asthma,
and sudden infant death. Simply opening a window does not protect your
children from breathing in harmful chemicals.
Smoking is not healthy for smokers or for the people around them. If
you’re a smoker and looking to quit, reach out to your pharmacist or
local stop smoking team on No Smoking Day for information and advice.
Join the nearly one million smokers in the UK who are expected to quit
this No Smoking Day.”