Smokers are being encouraged to stub it out at home as a Smoke Free Homes initiative launches across Tayside.
The new scheme, which got under way at an Angus primary school, aims to get smokers to acknowledge the effect their habit has on others and encourages them to sign up to make their home smoke free.
Smoke-free project worker Tracey Furness said: “By keeping the house smoke free, this not only protects children but provides a healthier and cleaner home environment and eliminates potential fire hazards.”
Children who are exposed to smoking are more likely to experience coughing and wheezing, asthma and ear and chest infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Ingredients used in ant poison, rocket fuel and floor cleaner are among the 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke.
Under the new initiative, smokers will be asked to sign either a gold promise for a smoke-free home, or a silver pledge that only one room will be used for smoking but never in front of children.
Tracey added: “It is not that hard to do. People can easily smoke outside, or keep a room aside for smoking, so that it is away from children.
“Even non-smokers can sign up to the scheme, so that when friends of family come round, they can respect the Smoke Free Home status.
“This enables householders to deal with the issue of smoking within the home in a non-confrontational and non-judgemental way.”
NHS Tayside smoking cessation teams are taking part in a series of events across the region this week to inform people about the scheme.
They got under way at Ladyloan Primary School in Arbroath, before experts also spoke to the public at the town’s ACCESS office.
Visits are also planned at a number of schools in the Angus area, including Langlands in Forfar, Andover, Brechin, and Montrose’s Southesk Primary.
The fire service is also attending the Smoke Free Homes events at the primary schools in Angus. Information on the programme will also be available at the main concourse of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on Friday between 10am and 4pm.
For more information on Smoke Free Homes, contact 07554 333314.