The report, How second-hand smoke harms and kills non-smokers, has been published as part of World No Tobacco Day (31 May), a global event it has co-ordinated. It points out that 'at least' 40 substances in cigarette smoke have been shown to cause cancer and lists a number of its more immediate effects on children, including an increase in bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, acute and chronic middle ear infections, and a trigger for asthma attacks in asthmatic children.
The report said, 'Children's lungs are smaller and their immune systems less developed, making them more likely to develop respiratory and ear infections triggered by second-hand smoke. Because they are smaller and breathe faster than adults, they breathe in more harmful chemicals per pound of their weight in the same amount of time.
'Finally, children simply have less choice than adults. They are less likely to be able to leave a smoke-filled room if they want to; infants cannot ask, some children may feel uncomfortable asking, and others may not be allowed to leave if they do ask.'
Following publication of the report, registered childminders renewed their call for the Government to change its stance towards their profession. The National Childminding Association said its members rejected the section of the new national standards for daycare and childminding in England which singled out childminders as the only type of daycare providers allowed to smoke in front of the children in their care with parental permission.
NCMA chief executive Gill Haynes said, 'Registered childminders have not asked for and do not want the so-called right to smoke in front of children.
'We are very disappointed that the Government is allowing childminders, alone among regulated childcare providers, to offer such poor quality of service, and we will be campaigning to get the decision changed. By signing up to our own Quality Standards, childminders who belong to the NCMA ensure a smoke-free environment. We will be giving them information to pass on to the parents of the children they care for about the dangers of passive smoking.'
The NCMA stance was supported by the pressure group Action on Smoking and Health, whose spokeswoman Amanda Sandford said, 'It !s vital for all settings where children are present to be smoke-free environments. All parents and carers must try to avoid smoking while babies and children are around.'
It is bad for health and a terrible example to set young children.
