Children’s Christmas wish for parents to quit smoking

According to the Department of Health, all children want for Christmas this year is for their parents to quit smoking.

A poll of 1,000 children in England aged between 7 and13 years of age even told researchers they thought smoking was ‘stupid’ and something they would never do.

A 98 per cent of children with a parent who smoked said they wished they would quit the habit.

The health risks such as heart disease worried children, with 73 per cent concerned their parents would die.

Children also said they were willing to make sacrifices, with 37 per cent saying they would forego any Christmas presents and 59 per cent would give up their pocket money.

Anne Milton, Public Health Minister said: “Around half of all regular smokers are eventually killed by a smoking related illness. Quitting smoking can be tough, but it can be made easier by using help from the NHS by visiting www.nhs.uk/smokefree or calling 0800 085 5052 and taking advantage of the free advice and support available.”