THE full extent of the damage caused to East Lancashire children by passive smoking is revealed by the Evening Telegraph today.

The startling figures show that childhood death rates linked to passive smoking are twice the national average in East Lancashire.

And almost half the under fives who visited an accident and emergecny unit in the area were suffering from conditions related to passive smoking.

The figures have been released as a new education scheme is launched to try and combat the life-threatening problem.

The immediate effects of passive smoking on children can range from eye soreness, headaches, sore throats to nausea and conditions like glue ear.

Long term implications are more serious such as asthma, chest infections, lung cancer, heart disease, meningitis, ear infections which can lead to partial deafness and cot death.

Now a study in Burnley, which mirrors the problems across East Lancashire, has revealed:

l Childhood death rates linked to passive smoking in East Lancashire are twice the national average of 24 deaths of one to four-year-olds per 100,000 of population.

l Almost half of under fives (at least 1,130 children) who visited Accident and Emergency in Burnley between last May and September were suffering from conditions caused or aggravated by passive smoking.

l All seven families referred to the Care of the Next Infant Scheme in Burnley - which monitors babies in families that have already had a cot death - had a smoker in the household.

l Smoking materials caused almost 50 per cent of the fire deaths in East Lancashire from November 2003 to October 2004.

l Children in areas such as East Lancashire, which are recognised as having areas of high deprivation, are 54 per cent more likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke.

Youngsters who live with a smoker can inhale the equivalent of 150 cigarettes a year, according to the Department of Health.

Kim Hargreaves, tobacco control development manager for the East Lancashire Public Health Network said: ""Second-hand smoke contains poisonous gases, tar and thousands of toxic chemicals.

"These poisons get into the bodies of children who live in smoky atmospheres. Children are even more sensitive to smoke than adults as their bodies are young and still developing. It is not safe for children to be in a room where someone is smoking - even if the room is not smoky as 85per cent of smoke is invisible and odourless."

"The Burnley summary report was done for a specific project but most of East Lancashire experiences similar levels of social deprivation and associated problems. All three of our Primary Care Trusts and five out of six of our local authorities are among the 88 most health deprived areas in England

"The rate of exposure to second-hand smoke is therefore similar; as is the subsequent rate of hospital attendance for children aged 0-5years.

The scheme comes as the Government begins consultation on a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.

Judith Mace, a health co-ordinator at Bacup and Stacksteads Sure Start, where the Smoke Free Homes campaign for Lancashire is being co-ordinated, said: "When someone smokes, 4,000 chemicals spread into the air which affects the health of everyone around them.

"However, second-hand smoking is a particular concern for children because their lungs are immature. Because of this they breathe in deeper and faster and cannot filter out the same poisonous particles that an adult can.

"Even if someone smokes outside they are still breathing out health damaging chemicals for up to 24 hours.

"The link with cot death is now so serious that the recommendations are that parents who smoke should not share a bed with their child in the first six months of life - even if they do not smoke in the bedroom."

Hyndburn MP, Greg Pope, said: "We must ensure that smoking is not shifted away from pubs and restaurants and into people's homes.

"Obviously parents don't want to hurt their children and it does seem that it is simply a case of not being aware of the damage that second-hand smoking can cause."