Give your family some breathing space by making the smokefree homes and cars promise
People across Calderdale are being encouraged to make their homes and car a smoke free zone to protect the health of others – particularly children.
The smokefree homes and cars campaign, which is being launched by the Calderdale Specialist NHS Stop Smoking Service, is seeking ‘promises’ from people to turn their homes into healthier places by not smoking within the confines of their home and car.
When you smoke inside your house or car, everyone in there is exposed to harmful secondhand tobacco smoke, including children, babies, other adults and pets.
Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals and over 50 of these chemicals cause cancer. People that breathe in secondhand smoke are at risk from the same diseases as smokers, including cancer and heart disease. Babies and children are at a much greater risk as they breathe faster and deeper taking in more of the harmful chemicals.
The stop smoking service, which is provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, has teamed up with Calderdale Council, Sure Start Children’s Centres and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to promote the campaign.
Smokefree homes project worker Carly Tordoff, said: "Smoke is harmful to everyone- including your pets- but babies and children are most at risk. We would like to encourage as many people as possible in Calderdale to make the smokefree homes and cars promise to protect their friends and families from the harmful effect of secondhand smoke. Over 80% of cigarette smoke is invisible. If you could see what’s really there you wouldn’t smoke.
"Not only is smoking in your home dangerous because of the smoke but smoking in the home is the number one cause of house fires in England. That’s why we’re working with the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to provide free home safety checks."
One of the best things you can do to reduce health risks to your family is to not smoke in your home and car and support this by signing up to smokefree homes and cars promise. By making the promise you are making a commitment to make your home and car totally smoke free to protect yourself and everyone else from the risks of second-hand smoke.
Local people can make their promise to have a smokefree home and car online at www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/smokefreehomes or by calling the stop smoking service on 01422 281505.
When people sign up they will receive a free support pack containing information leaflets, smokefree signs and a certificate. People signing up will also be entitled to a free fire safety visit from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
If you live in Calderdale, and would like to know more about the smokefree campaign or for help quitting smoking contact the specialist stop smoking service on 01422 281505 or email help.2quit@swyt.nhs.uk