Cats and dogs are hurt by tobacco smoking, too

William Atkins
Tuesday, 10 February 2009 20:24

Science - Health

The Reuters article states, “Milberger said asking smokers to quit for the sake of their pets may be an appealing new way to get them to throw away their cigarettes. Of the 71 million pet owners in the United States, about a fifth are smokers, Milberger estimated.”

The researchers state that second-hand smoke increases a pet’s risk for lung cancer and other forms of caner. It also increases their likelihood for allergies, respiratory problems, and eye and skin diseases.

Milberger concludes, "It would be hard to believe that there's any smoker out there now who doesn't know that smoking is bad for them and the people around them.”

And, "For tobacco control advocates, on our team we can now have vets and kennels and pet supply stores. So, for example, when someone takes Fluffy in to the vet, the vet can ask them about their smoking behavior and whether they allow smoking in their home.” [Reuters]

To learn more about how pets are adversely affected by second-hand smoke, please go to the Southern Anirondack Tobacco-Free Coalition article Secondhand Smoke and Your Pet.

The article states, "Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, over 60 of which are known to cause cancer."

Thus, "When pets living with smokers groom themselves, they ingest toxic secondhand smoke particulates that get trapped in their fur or feathers."

Smokers should ask themselves: Are you hurting your pets? and Do you love your pets enough to stop smoking?