Protecting your pets and your health

The dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke are well-documented. However, many pet owners who choose to smoke often do not realise that their second-hand smoke could also be having a deadly effect on their beloved pet.

Fresh Air-shire, NHS Ayrshire & Arran's smoking cessation service, in partnership with University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine, have launched a new poster campaign - 'How many cigarettes does your pet smoke a day?' Dr Carol Davidson, Executive Director of Public Health - NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: "While we know that the best thing smokers can do for themselves and their loved ones is to give up smoking, we also recognise that some people may not be ready to quit. In the meantime we want to encourage them to think about the impact that smoking has on the health of others in their homes and cars.

"Many animal lovers who are also smokers may not realise that their second-hand smoke will also be having an effect on their pets' health. We want to encourage as many smokers as possible to consider either smoking outside or making one room in their house the designated smoking room. By doing this and keeping smoke away from other people and pets in the house or car, smokers can ensure that their loved ones - including their pets - will not suffer from second-hand smoking related illnesses." The poster campaign was launched on 24 October at Ivybank Veterinary Clinic in Irvine. Eileen Sinclair, Senior Vet at Ivybank Clinic said: "Veterinary practices in Ayrshire will be very supportive of this initiative which may help people consider keeping their pets away from cigarette smoke in the home and car. Pet owners who smoke are usually unaware of how strong the smell of cigarette smoke is in the animal's fur, but we can smell it almost as soon as the animal walks into our consulting room. It is an excellent poster and I hope it encourages smokers to quit for the benefit of both their health and their pets."