Pussive smoking
Don’t light up around pets plea
PET owners are being warned that passive smoking can be deadly for their beloved animals.
Dogs and cats develop life-threatening diseases from breathing in cigarette fumes, campaigners say.
Passive smoking causes chronic coughing, asthma and cancer, says veterinary charity the PDSA.
Pets also lick the toxic smoke that has settled on their fur.
Olivia AndersonNathan, a PDSA vet, said: “Many owners are unaware of the risks that smoking can have on pets’ health.
“If they knew, I’m sure they would want to protect them. Our vets and nurses regu- larly see the devastating impact smoking can have on pets.
“Cancers such as lymphoma, for example, are twice as likely in cats exposed to cigarette smoke.”
The campaign will urge owners to smoke outside, away from pets.
Jackie Fox, from Glasgow, told how her one-year-old cat, Alvin, recovered from asthma after she took their advice.
Jackie, 39, said: “He was really wheezy. I was horrified that my smoking could be harming his health.
“Now I go outside and it’s incredible that after a few weeks, he already seems a lot better.” The campaign is being launched today on National No Smoking Day.