Researchers at the University of Glasgow in Scotland want us to know that there’s no safe level of second hand smoke – for people or our pets.

Called ETS or Environmental Tobacco Smoke, second-hand smoke has more than 4,000 kinds of chemical toxins, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, arsenic and worse.

Pets are actually at a bigger risk

Research shows that our dogs and cats are at even greater risk that us, from passive smoking. That’s because dogs and cats spend more time at home,and mostly on the floor where the carcinogenic particles tend to linger.

And then there’s third-hand smoke

In case you haven’t heard about this, third-hand smoke is the residue of smoking.

It’s made up of the particles, toxins and tiny bits that hang on to hair, clothing, skin of the smoker…just about anywhere. And there’s third-hand smoke throughout the home of a smoker too: on furniture, rugs, curtains, fabric, lampshades, carpets, draperies and other surfaces. Scientists don’t know yet exactly how bad this is, but it’s bad. They think it might even be more hazardous than second-hand smoke.

Said Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, medical director of the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center:

“Nicotine from secondhand smoke can have effects to the nervous systems of cats and dogs. Environmental tobacco smoke has been shown to contain multiple cancer-causing compounds, making it hazardous for animals as well as humans.”

Can’t stop?

For your family’s sake and for your Morkie’s sake – if you can’t stop smoking, please 

• smoke outside
• wash your hands  and change your clothes after smoking heavily
• invest in a high quality air purifier