February 2, 2010 - Today, the Health Unit launched a new campaign designed to raise awareness among pet owners of the risks that second-hand smoke can pose on animal friends of all varieties. The Pets and Second-hand Smoke campaign provides facts and strategies that pet owners can use to protect their animals from exposure to cigarette smoke.

“This is a new angle in encouraging tobacco-free lifestyles,” said Ken Ranta, Manager of Tobacco Control programs at the Health Unit.  “We expect that by making smokers aware of the dangers that smoking can have on their beloved pets’ health, they will become more motivated to smoke outside or even consider quitting.” 

There are 4,000 chemical compounds in second-hand smoke and over 50 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer.  Second-hand smoke has been associated with oral cancers and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well as lung cancer in birds. Although dogs, birds, and cats are the main focus of the campaign, the information can be applied to almost any family pet. Canadians currently own a total of eight million dogs and cats.

“Many people, including myself, feel that our pets are not just animals but rather members of our family,” said Cooper Rybak, a fourth year Nursing student from Lakehead University.  “They need to be protected as second-hand smoke is particularly harmful to pets.  Not only do they inhale it, but the smoke particles also get trapped in their fur and are often ingested when the pet grooms itself.”

The Health Unit is distributing campaign materials through pet stores, veterinary clinics and other locations throughout the Thunder Bay District.  Information can also be found online at TBDHU.com.

Individuals seeking assistance to quit smoking are encouraged to contact the Health Unit’s Tobacco Treatment Specialist at 625-5982.

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