Protect your children: keep playing areas smoke free

Smoking is the greatest single cause of ill health and premature death in England.
Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 different chemicals, many of which are harmful. The three main components are nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar which all affect the human body and can cause disease. The greatest risk faced by young people who take up smoking is becoming addicted to the effects of nicotine, beginning a life-long dependency on tobacco.

Young people get hooked on cigarettes remarkably quickly and they are more likely to smoke if:

their parents or older siblings smoke.
their parents appear not to mind whether they smoke.
they have friends who smoke.

The main reasons young people give for smoking are that they want to:

be sociable
appear mature
show their independence
conform with their friends
enhance their attractiveness

Despite recent changes to the law, children still find it relatively easy to buy cigarettes. In England, two thirds of under-16s who have tried to buy cigarettes from a shop have never been refused.
You do not have to smoke to suffer the side effects of smoking. Passive smoking is particularly dangerous to babies and young children and may cause the following:

increased acute respiratory illness in early childhood (including infections)
chronic cough, phlegm and wheeze
chronic middle ear effusions (glue ear)
reduced levels and growth of lung function
increased prevalence of asthma
increased likelihood of low birthweight
decreased attained height

Cot Death has also been linked to smoking.

If you smoke yourself, you can protect young people by keeping their playing, sleeping and eating areas completely smoke-free. Always try to smoke outdoors or away from children. If that’s not possible, open a window or door and blow the smoke outside. And ask your friends and family not to smoke near the children. Remember that smoke is more concentrated in a small space so don't smoke in the car.
If you smoke, discourage your children from smoking by telling them you wish you had never started and you hope to give up one day. Do not ask children to buy cigarettes for you or fetch your ashtray, and never invite them to try a puff of your cigarette.