MUMS and Dads should never smoke at home or in a car where there are children a government minister has urged.

A new campaign aimed at protecting children from second hand smoke has been launched in Glasgow.

Maureen watt, Public Health Minister met parents and children at Keppoch Nursery in Possilpark to kick of the Take it Right Outside campaign.

She said more than one in ten children are exposed to smoke at home putting them at risk of health conditions like asthma and respiratory problems.

Campaigners said research shows second-hand smoke is responsible for one in five of all cot deaths in the UK.

It is also estimated that it causes more than 20,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infection, 120,000 cases of middle ear disease, at least 22,000 new cases of wheeze and asthma, 600 cases of bacterial meningitis.

Parents at the nursery have been offered the use of a machine which tests the air in their home for harmful particles from smoking.

Ms Watt said “We want every child in Scotland to breathe clean air when they’re in the home or the car.

“Children breathe faster than adults, and therefore breathe in more of the harmful chemicals contained in second-hand smoke.”

She smoking with a window open or at a back door is not enough because the particles linger for up to five hours.

She added: “The only way to ensure that a home is smoke-free is to never smoke indoors.”

It is estimated 11% of children are exposed to smoking by adults at home.

The Scottish Government has set a target of reducing that to 6% by 2020.

The campaign is backed by health campaigners and anti-smoking groups.

Irene Johnstone, Head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “Everybody knows that cigarette smoke is harmful. What we don’t all know is that more than 85 per cent of smoke is invisible and has no smell. Parents want to do the right thing to protect their children, but not enough people know just how dangerous second-hand smoke is, or that it can hang around a room invisibly for up to five hours.

“We have to change that so we can protect the next generation from the harmful effects.”

Gregor McNie, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Cancer Research UK said:

“Children are particularly susceptible to damage from the deadly chemicals in tobacco smoke as their bodies continue to grow and develop. Across the UK second-hand smoke has been linked to around 165,000 new cases of disease among children each year. This is one more good reason for parents to quit and we’d encourage those who do smoke at home to do so outside, therefore reducing these risks.”