AN online campaign is urging Halton parents to protect their children from cigarette smoke in cars.

A film, starring Neil Fitzmaurice highlights that many young people are too frightened to speak up about their parents or other adults smoking in a car.

The video, produced jointly by Tobacco Free Futures and the British Lung Foundation is part of a wider campaign calling for legislation to make all cars carrying children smoke-free.

The issue is due to be debated in the House of Lords in the New Year as part of the Children and Families Bill.

Hollyoaks actress Jazmine Franks, who plays character Esther Bloom, said: “I’m sure a lot of people think that as long as the window is open the cigarette smoke is not doing any harm to other passengers in the car, especially children, but it’s not safe and it isn’t fair that children have to breathe it in.”

Matthew Ashton, Cheshire and Merseyside lead for public health said: “Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 60 of which we know cause cancer. Hundreds of children suffering the effects of second-hand smoke are admitted to Cheshire and Merseyside hospitals every year with complications such as bronchitis, asthma and reduced lung function.

“We want to highlight this issue with parents in our communities and give local people a chance to have their say.”

Viewers can vote online in support of a law to protect children from secondhand smoke when they are travelling in a car and contact their local MP urging them to take action.

Research shows that more than 430,000 children, aged 11-15, in England are exposed to secondhand smoke in family cars at least once a week.

In the north west, second-hand smoke results in at least 34,000 GP visits and more than 1,100 emergency admissions to hospital each year.

Watch the video here: www.tobaccofreefutures.org/news/ban_smoking_in_cars