The Hon Daniel Andrews, MP, Minister for Health launched a new anti-smoking ad campaign at The Royal Children’s Hospital today.

The Quit Victoria campaign, titled ‘Cigarettes are eating you and your kids alive’ urges smokers to consider the health of their children before lighting up.

The launch follows the release of new research by the Cancer Council Victoria that found nearly half of Victoria’s cigarette smokers smoke around children.

Dr Rob Roseby of the RCH Centre for Adolescent Health supported the initiative.

“The list of potential problems for children of smokers is a long, sad catalogue,” he said.

“Children and toddlers are exposed primarily at the home, and then later at places like child care or shopping centres.”

If a parent smokes their child has increased risks of low birth weight, SIDS, pneumonia, asthma, ear disease and meningococcal disease.

For more information, visit the Quit Victoria website.