Groups warn of secondhand smoke dangers
While the dangers of secondhand smoke are well known, pet advocates are encouraging smokers to consider the health of their animals as well as their family and friends.
“Nearly 30 percent of pets live with at least one smoker,” said a spokeswoman for the American Legacy Foundation. ”This secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs and lymphoma in cats, along with allergy and respiratory problems.”
The American Legacy Foundation, an anti-smoking organization, is encouraging pet owners to consider stopping smoking this week, which happens to be National Pet Week. The ASPCA has joined the foundation’s push.
“Nicotine from secondhand smoke can have effects to the nervous systems of cats and dogs,” said Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, medical director of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center. 
“Environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans. Studies have shown increases in certain types of respiratory cancers in dogs that live in homes with smokers. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke has been shown to cause many of the same harmful inflammatory changes in the airways and lungs of dogs as their human counterparts. For these reasons, owners should not expose their pets to secondhand smoke in order to minimize the risk of their pets developing lung disease or cancer.”
For more information about how to quit smoking, contact the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at (800) QUIT NOW.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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