Risk To Pets Motivates Smokers to Quit

Survey Shows Smokers Would Quit To Protect Critters From Secondhand Smoke

(WebMD)  Smokers are motivated to quit the habit to protect their pets from secondhand smoke, a new survey shows.

Researchers led by Sharon M. Milberger, ScD, of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, found that 28.4 percent of smokers who participated in an online survey said learning that secondhand smoke was bad for their pet's health would motivate them to quit. And 8.7 percent said knowing the potential adverse health effects of secondhand smoke would spur them to ask their partners to quit.

The results are published in Tobacco Control, a BMJ specialty publication. The researchers write that 3,300 people responded to an online survey for pet owners; 66 percent were dog owners, 53 percent kept cats, and 10 percent had birds. Most of the survey participants were white females from Michigan.

Sixteen percent of nonsmoking pet owners living with smokers reported they would ask their partners to quit smoking to keep their dog, cat, or bird away from secondhand smoke if they had information about the pet dangers of secondhand smoke. Another 24 percent said they'd tell their smoking partners to go outside to smoke.

The survey shows that about 40 percent of smokers - and 24 percent of nonsmokers living with smokers - said they'd like to know more about the effects of smoking, secondhand smoke, and how to kick the habit.

The researchers say public health campaigns aimed at getting people to quit might benefit from reminding smokers that breathing secondhand smoke is unhealthy for their pets as well as for people.

Published evidence is convincing that secondhand smoke is dangerous not only for humans, but for pets, too, according to the article.

Exposure to tobacco smoke has been associated with certain cancers in dogs and cats, allergies in dogs, and eye and skin diseases and respiratory problems in birds, according to the researchers.

"This new source of motivation could be particularly strong for smokers who, aside from their companion animals, live alone," the researchers suggest.

[martublade]

http://www.niconot.com/?id=468172

[Eerie_To_The_Ear]

As a teenager of seventeen, I find that smoking is getting too common. After studying a course of Health Ed in High School, I found that one cigarette is filled with over 490 dangerous chemicals, many of them lethal to both animals and humans in general. Both of my parents smoke, and my dog and I are constantly exposed to second-hand smoke. My health has been getting worse monthly, so whenever I see my dad or mom with a cigarette I have to pick up my dog and go outside. It's seriously getting on my nerves. I know prohibition wouldn't work, but we have to do something to protect America's future from dying at age 35.

[barbaram99]

There is no safe cig.

[barbaram99]

Yep smoking hurts both human and pet. It would be nice for their well being if they smoke out doors. We have talked about this and they have pets and they don't think about their pets when they light up. They won't quit for a pet.. I am a non smoker and my friend quit in Sept 00. I always make them go out side. There is no safe gig. We are in our 50s.

[MarchingOn]

My vet calls me the geriatric pet owner. He is amazed at how long past their normal life span my pets live. I smoke in the house and my pets are house pets.

[msay3]

i hate cats
Posted by nadya62 at 7:44 PM : Feb 25, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm sure the feeling is mutual....MEOWW

[Kaelinda1]

Prohibition hasn't worked for any other substance. Why does anyone anywhere think it will work for cigarettes?

[formrusmcsgt]

Smokers are motivated to quit the habit to protect their pets from secondhand smoke, a new survey shows.
----
What does this say about the priorities of pet owners?

They won't quit to avoid getting cancer themselves but will to keep from giving cancer to a pet?

Assenine.

[rf35]

Do cigarettes cause global warming?

[shylove2]

sidestream smoke didn't cause lung cancer when there was smoking everywhere so don't worry we are getting plenty of carcinogens and umpteen types of cancer too.

Blame the smoker who is the victim of an addictive culture and tax them for everything for their own good, no it is punishment but the real pervasive polluters aren't even criticized. I think you are being diverted to the easy prroblems.

[SusanStoHelit]

It is true - I have a friend who cat-sits regularly for a couple of smokers, over the last two decades. They've lost so many of their cats to cancer, it's very sad. Sadly for them, this isn't enough motivation to stop smoking, but they have started smoking outside rather than in the home most of the time. And they're not losing cats anymore.

[nerdovision]

What about electronic cigarettes? They are pet safe, they emit no fumes or smoke! they can be smoked in any class, bar, or restaurant! they contain nicotine and they even look like real cigarettes ! if you wanna see a picture of one go here:
www.invisismoke.com

[displeased]

Duh...the do-gooders always trying to run somebody elses life.
Posted by frank-e1

Especially when your habits affect somebody else's life.

[rixmix98]

If I quit smoking, I'd have to smell the litter box, wouldn't I?

Duh...the do-gooders always trying to run somebody elses life.
Posted by frank-e1 at 1:01 PM : Feb 25, 2009




Haha. Sounds like you're just a loser that has been unsuccessful in quitting.

[frank-e1]

If I quit smoking, I'd have to smell the litter box, wouldn't I?

Duh...the do-gooders always trying to run somebody elses life.