Experts have confirmed that childhood exposure to second-hand smoke is linked to long-term and lifelong damage to health.

Four in 10 children in North East England are exposed to second-hand smoke in their own homes.

Delegates at the Fresh Smoke Free North East conference heard the evidence from national researchers, including Dr Tanith Muller, researcher and author of British Medical Association report Breaking the Cycle of Children's Exposure.

She said: "Some parents try not to smoke in front of their children, however, the poisons in tobacco smoke don't respect people's good intentions, and evidence shows children in these homes are still at high risk."

Second-hand smoke exposure in childhood has been linked to cot death, low birth weight and premature births, as well as higher levels of childhood cancer and early onset of heart disease in adulthood.

Through discussion, delegates at the Darlington conference concluded that many health professionals are failing to provide parents and carers with the facts on the damaging effects of second-hand smoke.

They identified a need to focus on this area, to provide health professionals with the tools and information they needed to inform their patients.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: "It has never been more important for us to protect our children's lives by taking a stance against tobacco and second-hand smoke.

"So many children are living with uncomfortable, avoidable illnesses due to second-hand smoke, such as glue ear and asthma.

"It is up to us to ensure we respond to the Government's National Tobacco Strategy consultation, and provide our children with the future they deserve. Let's make smoking history for our children."

To find out more, or support the consultation, visit www.freshne.
com, where e-responses can be sent to the Department of Health.