PARENTS are being encouraged to protect their children from the dangers of passive smoking – by keeping their homes smoke free.
Health workers are touring Kirklees to give parents more information about second-hand smoking and the affect it can have on their children.
They are also targeting the youngsters to help them understand the health risks of smoking.
Parents and pupils at Scissett Middle School took part in the 2007 Smoke Free Homes roadshow on Monday, while hundreds more will be targeted when the Smoke Free Bus tours the town next week.
Amina Hans-Adam, a health worker with the project, said: “Children are particularly affected by second hand smoke. They breathe deeper and faster and so take in more smoke.
“Their vital organs are still developing so they are more likely to be damaged by the 4000 chemicals in any one cigarette.”
Pupils at the Wakefield Road school took part in workshops to learn more about the problems linked to passive smoking.
Research shows that 42 per cent of children in the UK live in a smoky home, but since the launch of the region’s Smoke Free Homes initiative in 2001, 8,500 youngsters in West Yorkshire have benefited from their parents pledge to stop smoking around them.
The 10-day roadshow is asking parents to sign up to promise to create either a totally smoke-free home, only to smoke in one well-ventilated room or to never smoke in front of their children.
The roadshow will be at Huddersfield Bus Station next Monday, October 15 and at Dewsbury Market Place on Wednesday, October 17, from 10am until 4pm, for people to find out more.
