Nurses back calls to protect children from second-hand smoke

Published: 24 March 2010

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (24 March) backed the Royal College of Physicians’ call to protect children from the harm caused by second-hand smoke. Janet Davies, Executive Director of Nursing and Service Delivery at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

“Today’s report should come as a stark warning to anyone who smokes around babies and children. The serious damage second-hand smoke causes to the long-term health and well-being of children is entirely avoidable and must be prevented.

“The alarming evidence in the report makes it a moral duty to protect young people’s health from the dangers of passive smoking.  It is vital that smokers are informed of the damage that passive smoking causes to children, and are given support to kick the habit.

“Nurses witness first hand the damaging effects of second-hand smoke on health and would support calls to protect the health of the nation’s children. As we approach the general election, we urge all political parties to take heed of today’s report to ensure children are not made to suffer ill-health as a result of passive smoking. Protecting the nation’s health is one of the six priorities highlighted in the RCN manifesto for the next government.”

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Notes to Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.