What was normal, everyday behaviour in public twenty years ago is now considered quite unacceptable.

And anyone who does light up in the confined space of a bus, train or restaurant is likely to be quickly challenged or even asked to leave.

The reasons for this transformation in the way we view the habit are quite easy to explain.

Smokers are destroying the health of those around them as well as killing themselves.

The most serious impact of passive smoking is its effect on children.

Short term there are proven connections between exposure to tobacco smoke and eye soreness, headaches, sore throats and conditions like glue ear.

And far more worrying still are longer-term implications like asthma, chest infections, lung cancer, heart disease, meningitis, ear infections and even links with cot deaths.

Children in places like East Lancashire, which have higher than average areas of deprivation, are also more likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke.

Many parents are unwittingly inflicting damage on their loved ones by smoking at home.

And that's why we should all support the newly-launched campaign to send home the message about the dangers of passive smoking in our kitchens and living rooms.