Monday, 4 February 2008, is World Cancer Day.

Only 100% smoke-free environments
protect your children and family from
the very serious health problems that
breathing second-hand smoke causes.
Do not allow anyone to smoke in your
home. Demand all indoor public places
to be 100% smoke-free.

Around 700 million children - almost half the world's youth - breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, particularly at home and in cars. The initiative will stress to parents, teachers and decision-makers how important it is to make their homes and cars smoke-free. "I love my smoke-free childhood" will also encourage adults to keep their families away from public places that allow smoking.

Three years ago, the Irish government made history by introducing a nationwide ban on smoking in the workplace. Since then, the movement for smoke-free workplaces and public places has gathered pace. The movement for smoke-free workplaces and public places has gathered pace. Under these initiatives, smoke-free workplaces and public places have become more common. But the movement has produced limited benefit for children since the main place young children breathe second-hand smoke is in their homes.

It is well known that half the people who smoke regularly today - about 650 million people - will eventually be killed by tobacco. Less well-known is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by breathing second-hand tobacco smoke.

"I love my smoke-free childhood" is part of the five-year UICC member-driven primary cancer prevention campaign entitled "Today's children, tomorrow's world" launched on World Cancer Day 2007. More information can be found at www.worldcancercampaign.org