PARENTS are being urged to keep summer road trips smoke-free in an attempt to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

It comes as part of part of the Scottish Government's Take it Right Outside campaign, which aims to give parents the facts so they can smoke in a way that does not harm their children.

Research shows that if people smoke in the car, even with the window open, harmful chemicals from cigarette smoke reach dangerous levels in less than 60 seconds.

Second-hand smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals and with children having faster breathing rates than adults, it does even more harm to a child's lungs.

Dr James Cant, of the British Lung Foundation, said: "We have to get second-hand smoke right out of our cars and homes and away from children.

"Every parent wants to do the right thing to protect their children and we are working to ensure people have the facts and support to help change."