A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Bury to signal the dangers that secondhand smoke can cause in enclosed spaces.

Branded as the Smokefree Homes and Cars campaign, it aims to show that smoking next to a window or the back door is not enough to protect children from second-hand smoke.

Smoke-free kits will be available from pharmacies and children’s centres in the borough, and Stick and Quit sticker sets will be distributed for use by children to encourage smoke-free zones.

Bury Council will support national TV and radio adverts highlighting that more than 80 per cent of second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless, but contains harmful cancercausing toxins and poisons that are unknowingly damaging children in Bury every day.

Figures also show the children of smokers are 90 per cent more likely to become smokers themselves.

In Bury 31,834 people smoke which, it is estimated, costs the local economy £52,400,000 every year in NHS costs, lost productivity, litter and fire damage.

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for Bury, said: “Second-hand smoke causes a range of serious health problems for children and adults. We want to reduce the number of children who are admitted to hospital every year in Bury through the effects of second-hand smoke.

“Children’s lungs are smaller and less developed, so they are more vulnerable to the effects of second-hand smoke. It is vital that we do everything we can to improve awareness and reduce the risks. Opening a window won’t protect your health, but smoke-free cars and homes will.”

In the Bury area, secondhand smoke results in at least 1,000 GP consultations a year and more than 30 hospital admissions.

Kate Shepherd, Bury Stop Smoking Service manager, said: “Our service wants people who smoke to think about the effect this can have on their family and support them to take positive action. Giving up smoking or making sure you have a completelysmoke-free home and car is the only way to protect your family.”

“If people do want to quit there is excellent support and advice available.”

Andrea Crossfield, chief executive of Tobacco Free Futures, which developed the award-winning Take Seven Steps Out campaign in Bury, said: “There are already hundreds of thousands of people who smoke in the North West protecting their children from second-hand smoke by taking seven steps out — which involves moving well away from homes and buildings to smoke. “ ■ Bury Stop Smoking Service can be contacted on 0845 223 9001 or people can visit nhs.uk/smokefree to order a free smoke-free kit.