Non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke have at least 24% higher risk of lung cancer and 25% higher risk of heart disease. Secondhand smoke is also a major risk factor for many other conditions including:

• Triggering asthma
• Worsening symptoms of asthma
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Stroke
• Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke are known to be cancer-causing.

Bear in mind, secondhand smoke causes an increased risk of these smoking-related illnesses in smokers, as well as non-smokers!



The easiest step you can take towards addressing these problems is to make your home smokefree. Just ask the smokers to pop outside when they want a cigarette.

• Set up a smoking area outside
• Place an umbrella/coat by the back door
• Remove ashtrays, matches and lighters from the home
• Put up smokefree signage in your home and car

Ensuring that any smokers who live or visit your home only smoke outside of the house will greatly reduce the amount of smoke you breathe in. In addition to reducing everyone's risk of smoking related illnesses, you may find;

• smokers find it easier to kick the habit,
• they tend to smoke much less,
• ex-smokers will find it easier to stay stopped.

• No more ashtrays and lighters cluttering up the house.
• You'll be able to enjoy a cleaner, brighter home – no more dropped ash, stains or cigarette burns.
• An end to the yellow discolouration of paintwork and wall paper – less decorating!
• You'll reduce the risk of house fires – more people die in fires caused by cigarettes than any other cause. On average the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service responds to 30 accidental dwelling fires each year caused by smoking.
• Your food is likely to taste and smell better
• You may well save money as any smokers in the household are likely to cut down or stop smoking.
• Your family pets are likely to be healthier and live longer too (Cats and dogs that live in smoky homes are more likely to get chronic bronchitis. Pet birds suffer the most as they can get life-threatening respiratory infections).