What is passive smoking? Simply put, it is the breathing in of a combination of another persons exhaled smoke and the smoke from the burning tip of their cigarette.
This second hand smoke can cause as much damage to the passive smoker as it does to the smoker him (or her) self.
It will increase their risk of cancer, heart disease, strokes and respiratory disease.
Smoke will linger even in a well ventilated room for more than two hours after the last cigarette has been completed, giving plently of time for it to be inhaled time and time again.
As adults we have free will to move away from smokers or a smokey room if we so choose (even this is within reason).
However this is much more difficult, and in some cases impossible, for a child.
In the UK, five million children are still exposed regularly to secondhand smoke and, world wide nearly half of all children still live in smoke-filled homes.
Children who live with smokers may find it very difficult to move away from that smoke even if they know and understand that this is the best thing for them to do.
Children are more at risk from passive smoking because of this, as well as the fact that they breath faster, so will inhale more, as well as more often.
Children of a mother that smokes are three times more likely to suffer a cot death episode.
Respiratory problems are more likely to occur and illnesses, such as asthma, will be exacerbated.
And don't forget, these are in addition to, the previously mentioned recognised risk factors.
Each year countless thousands of children will be admitted to hospital with a smoking-related illness and some will never go home.
Parents have a duty to care for their children which includes that of not inflicting harm.
They should protect them from this widespread danger.