Passive smoking is "a major problem"
| Published: 26th March 2007 21:38 |
The dangers of passive smoking are underestimated, according to a leading charity.
Amanda Sandford, a spokeswoman for anti-smoking group Ash, said that passive smoking is more than just a nuisance but poses serious health risks.
The charity is combating the promotion of smoking as a person's right or "lifestyle choice".
Health minister Caroline Flint launched a campaign over the weekend to increase awareness of the dangers of passive smoking.
Commenting, Ms Sandford, research manager at Ash, said: "I think there is still a perception amongst some people that [passive smoking] is just a bit of a nuisance: that it makes your hair smell, your clothes smell, but other than that it's not really a major problem.
She added: "Since the government has taken the issue seriously, over the last three years, we've been able to show that the harm from passive smoking is actually more than just a nuisance, it's a major factor in ill-health. No-one has an automatic right to light up and allow a toxic substance to be let loose in a public place."
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