Smokers urged to protect children

Smoking

Smokefree North West is bringing a roadshow to the Rochdale Exchange Shopping this month, as part of its ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ campaign.

The roadshow aims to help parents and families to protect their children from preventable illnesses caused by cigarette smoke.

Dr Michelle Loughlin, Consultant in Public Health said: “This campaign supports people to reduce their family’s risks from second hand smoke. Smoking around children and young people in enclosed spaces exposes their young lungs to toxins that can be strong enough to trigger asthma attacks, cause bronchitis, ear infections and hearing damage, or even cause cot death. Introducing some very simple changes, such as taking 7 steps outside the house before you light up can make all the difference to your children’s health.”

The campaign will highlight that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible and there’s no way of knowing where it is lingering - a fact which many families may not be aware of. Cigarette smoke can trigger asthma attacks and ear infections which can affect hearing and lead to trips to the doctor, operations and time off school - all of which can be avoided.

At least 35,000 visits to the doctor or hospital can be prevented if parents and carers who smoke take seven steps outside to protect their children from the immediate and long-term harm from secondhand smoke (Estimates based on national statistics - RCP: Passive Smoking and Children, March 2010).

Rochdale will host one of 24 roadshow events which will tour every county in the North West.

The ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ roadshow will tour throughout the North West from 10 August until 11 September and is supported by a five week television campaign, starting 10 August in partnership with Smoke Free North East.

It will appear in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre on 20 August.