Most pet owners who smoke are aware of the damage cigarettes can have on their
health, but probably do not know that they may also harm the health of their
furry friends. Only 15 percent of cigarette smoke is actually inhaled by the
smoker - the rest is dispersed into the atmosphere exposing pets to over 4,000
toxins, including over 40 known cancer-causing substances and carbon monoxide.
Research has proven that cigarette smoke is related to several health related
illnesses in pets. A study found that the exposure of environmental tobacco
smoke is linked to nasal and sinus cancer in pet dogs. Environmental tobacco smoke
is also associated with an increased risk for lung cancer in pet dogs, especially
at risk are breeds with short and medium noses.
In addition to pet dogs, a study exposing hamsters to doses of cigarette smoke
demonstrated that the inhalation of sidestream cigarette smoke inhibits their
reproduction.
Passive smoke has also been shown to significantly increase blood pressure in
rabbits.
Giving up smoking will not only improve the smoker's health but their animal's
health too, and can even cut vet costs. The seventeenth No Smoking Day will be
on Wednesday 8th March 2000. Over one million join in and an estimated 40,000
quit.
For further help and advice on stopping smoking contact the smoker's helplines:
England (Quitline): 0800 002200
Scotland (Smokeline): 0800 848484
Northern Ireland: 01232 663281
Wales: 0345 697 500
www.nosmokingday.org.uk