Over 800 children visit their doctor every day due to the serious effects of secondhand smoke exposure, according to research published by the Royal College of Physicians. The figures have been highlighted today as the government launches a campaign to increase awareness of the hidden dangers of smoking in homes and cars.

More than 80% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless, and contains harmful cancer-causing toxins and poisons. TV adverts will show that smoking out of a car window or the backdoor is not enough to protect children from secondhand smoke.