Smoke-free cars and homes

If you smoke indoors, everyone around you will breathe in your second-hand smoke: babies, children and pets.

Babies and children are at greater risk from second-hand smoke than adults, because they have small lungs and breathe faster. This makes them more likely to have health problems and they may miss a lot of school.

If you are visited by relatives who smoke, you should ask them to smoke outdoors in order to protect your children.

Reducing second-hand smoke in the home will have an immediate and lasting effect on your family's health:

• If you are pregnant, your unborn baby will be protected
• If you have a new baby you will reduce the risk of sudden infant death (cot death)
• Young children will have fewer coughs, wheezing, chest infections, asthma, middle ear infection (glue ear) and tonsilitis
• Young children will have fewer behavioural problems and learning difficulties
• Everyone in the home will have fewer breathing problems.
• Your pets will be healthier and live longer
• Anyone in the home who smokes will find it easier to quit
• If you are an ex-smoker, you will be less likely to start again.
• Your skin, hair, clothes and furniture will no longer smell of stale smoke.
• Your home will be cleaner and need less re-decorating
• If you're selling your home, it will be more attractive to potential buyers
• You will be less likely to have a cigarette-related fire

Smoke free cars

Smoke is more concentrated in a confined space such as a car, even with the windows open. The chemicals linger, even in a child's car seat. The good news is that smoking in vehicles with anyone under 18 years old is illegal.