Page updated: 01 Sep 2010
Take 7 Steps out to protect your children
This summer Smokefree North West brought its roadshow to Stretford Mall as part of its ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ campaign. The roadshow was launched by Sale Harriers sprinter Olivia Callaghan, and aimed to help parents and families to protect children and young people from preventable illnesses caused by cigarette smoke. 
The campaign highlights that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible and there’s no way of knowing where it is lingering, a fact that many families may not be aware of.
Cigarette smoke can trigger asthma attacks and ear infections, which can lead to hearing impairment, operations and time off school - all of which could be avoided.
At least 35,000 GP visits and hospital appointments could be prevented if parents and carers took seven steps outside to protect their children from the immediate and long-term harm from secondhand smoke (Estimates based on national statistics - RCP: Passive Smoking and Children, March 2010).
Stretford Mall hosted one of 24 roadshow events that will tour every county in the north west. This fun and interactive roadshow drew a crowd with giant Tom Hanks-style musical steps for the kids and campaign mascot StepaRoo and her joey on hand to join in the fun.
Kerry Briggs, NHS Trafford’s stop smoking lead, said: “Smoking around children and young people in enclosed spaces exposes their developing lungs to terrible toxins and can trigger asthma attacks, bronchilitis, middle ear infection and hearing impairment, as well as cot death, but some very small changes can make all the difference – just take seven steps out of your home before you light up.”
The need for the campaign is highlighted by survey results released this month by Smokefree North West, which reveal that of respondents in the north west:
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Almost half of parents do not know that second hand smoke can cause cot deaths (47 per cent).
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More than a third do not know that it can cause ear infections and hearing impairments (35 per cent).
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More than half of the respondents do not know that secondhand smoke has an impact on children attending school (51 per cent).
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86 per cent of respondents agreed that smokers should be encouraged not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child.
Dr Janet Atherton, chair of Smokefree North West, said: “Public opinion is clearly behind this campaign with almost nine in ten people supporting action to encourage smokers not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child.
“Parents and other family members may not be aware that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible and they have no way of knowing where it is lingering. By simply smoking right away from the house, parents can really help protect their children from the immediate and lifelong harm of secondhand smoke. For handy tips and hints on making your home smokefree visit the Take7Steps out website.”
The ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ roadshow will tour throughout the North West from 10 August until 11 September and is supported by a five week television campaign, starting 10 August in partnership with Smoke Free North East.
For more information on locations of activities visit www.take7stepsout.co.uk and get instant updates from campaign mascot StepaRoo by following her blog at www.steparoo.take7stepsout.co.uk.