The Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida is encouraging the smokers of Lee County to think of the health of their pets every time they light up.

Recent studies indicate that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke for humans or for pets. Pets living in homes with smokers show an increased level of respiratory problems, allergies, nasal and lung cancer in dogs and lymphoma in cats.

Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Medical Director of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center says, “Environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to contain numerous cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans. …owners should not expose their pets to secondhand smoke”.

The American Legacy Foundation® is challenging pet owners to quit smoking for the sake of their pets in April to kick off Prevention to Cruelty to Animals Month.

Florida smokers have a number of resources to quit smoking, including the Florida Quit-line, http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Tobacco/quitline.html, and Tobacco Free Florida, http://www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/.