Smoking and pets

With the smoking ban now in effect, it's a good time to highlight the effects of smoking on our pets.

Caroline Reay, chief veterinary surgeon at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Merton, says: "Vets at The Blue Cross are concerned that when the smoking ban comes in people might smoke more cigarettes at home - exposing their pets to dangerous tobacco smoke."

"The health risks from human passive smoking are well documented, but people need to know that smoke is harmful to pets too. Research shows that pets exposed to tobacco smoke are almost twice as likely to develop serious cancers. The Blue Cross urges pet owners to think twice before lighting up near their animals."

• For more information on your pet's health, visit our All About Pets website
• Find out more about the smoking ban on the official website: Smoke free England

June 2007