Harmful chemicals shown to encourage parents to ‘Take 7 Steps Out’

Mary Wallace, Trainer, shows Bev Maguire of Belfield Children’s Centre, Rochdale just what kind of chemicals a cigarette contains.

Parents in Rochdale have been shown some of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke as part of a bid to encourage them to ‘Take 7 Steps Out.’

‘Chemical Soup’ is being delivered to communities courtesy of Tobacco Free Futures and Banardo’s.

The kit, complete with cooking pot and fake hazardous liquids, shows some of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke – such as arsenic, formaldehyde and cadmium.

Of more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, 60 are known to cause cancer as well as avoidable childhood illnesses.

Dr Jane Rossini, Director of Public Health for the Rochdale Borough said: “Smoking around children is responsible for at least 34,000 preventable GP and hospital visits across the North West every year.

“In enclosed spaces it exposes their vulnerable lungs and bodies to harmful toxins. We have a duty to support parents with the best possible information. Parents and other family members may not know that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible, so standing by an open window or door is simply not enough to protect their children.

“This new community activity will help highlight the dangers and show that there is a way to prevent harm; go right outside the house to help protect children from secondhand smoke.”

Deirdre Lewis, Children’s Services Manager for Barnardo’s in the North West, said: “Using the Chemical Soup kit helps us equip parents with knowledge in our communities so they can make a positive step to protecting their children’s health.”

The activity is the next stage of the Take 7 Steps Out campaign – which encourages smokers to smoke right outside, especially when children are in the house.

Bev Maguire of Belfield Children’s Centre, Rochdale said: “I was really shocked to find out that there are more than 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette. Actually seeing all the chemicals that go into it really makes you sit up and listen.”