Smokers urged to go outdoors

An NHS Lanarkshire child doctor is urging Cumbernauld and Kilsyth smokers to banish cigarettes from the home and the car when there are children present.

Dr Carol Dryden, an NHS Lanarkshire consultant paediatrician with special interest in respiratory paediatrics, said: “Our experience shows that the vast majority of smokers want to give up and do their best to take their smoking away from their children – for example by opening a window or standing by an open door.

“However, I think many smokers will be surprised to learn that much of their smoke remains in the room and will welcome this information.”

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She added: “The best way to safeguard the health of your child is, of course, to give up altogether.

“But we appreciate that not all smokers are ready to try that quit attempt just yet which is why we’re giving them this information to help them improve the health environment in their home and help protect their child’s health.”

New research cited in the campaign is said to show that harmful chemicals in second hand smoke linger and travel for up to five hours after the visible smoke has disappeared.

It is argued that because 85 per cent of second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless many are unaware that smoking at an open window or standing at the back door, isn’t enough to protect children.

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