Smokefree Homes

The good news

• A smokefree home is a healthier place for everyone, including the family pets. (For example, cats and dogs are at much greater risk of developing nasal and sinus cancer from passive smoking.)
  
  
• A smokefree home has better indoor air quality because there are 4000 fewer chemicals – or at least much lower levels – than in a home where someone smokes. For more information read What's in a cigarette.
  
  
• A smokefree home is safer for children. (Children living in smoky homes are more likely to have asthma and a wheezy chest.)
  
  
• A smokefree home is safer for babies. (Smoking at home increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, as well as the risk of asthma, cough, colds and glue ear.)
  
  
• A smokefree home (or greenhouse) is a better place for your plants, especially those that can be infected by tobacco mosaic virus. (The virus survives in the tobacco and many commercial growers will not allow anyone to smoke in greenhouses where tomato crops are growing as it reduces the yield significantly. Hands and clothing can become contaminated while handling affected plants or tobacco products. The virus is easily transmitted by smokers and tobacco product users touching plants and equipment with tobacco-contaminated hands and clothing.)
  
  
• A smokefree home is better for anyone living there who has asthma or COPD.
  
  
• A smokefree home is a safer environment for anyone with angina or heart disease.
  
  
• A smokefree home may mean you won’t have to see your GP so often!
  
  
• A smokefree home smells better (usually!) and doesn’t need redecorating so often.
  
  
• A smokefree home is a safer place for friends and others to visit.
  
  
• A smokefree home will sell more easily and for nearer the asking price (according to estate agents – and they should know!)
  
  
• A smokefree home is safer because smoking is a major cause of domestic fires.

So if your home isn’t smoke free yet, how about taking action today to make it safer? For the sake of every person, every pet and the plants too!