Second-hand smoke awareness campaign launched by government

The government has announced the launch of a new national advertising campaign that aims to raise awareness of the dangers posed by second-hand smoke.

Hard-hitting TV and radio adverts will be used to educate parents on the health risks their smoking habits can inflict upon their children, even if they make efforts to smoke only next to windows or back doors.

Government figures show that 80 percent of second-hand smoke is invisible but can lead to conditions such as lung disease, meningitis and cot death, while results from a survey suggest that 98 percent of children would prefer their parents not to smoke.

As such, the Department of Health is launching this initiative in order to promote households and cars becoming entirely smoke-free.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "We all know smoking kills, but not enough people realise the serious effect that second-hand smoke can have on the health of others, particularly children. This campaign will raise awareness of this danger."

This comes in the same week that new laws come into effect that will compel all large shops in England to hide their tobacco products from view, in order to alter societal norms surrounding the habit.