A dog owner from Bangor has launched a petition calling for a ban on smoking in vehicles with animals inside. Megan Pleasant, 22, is hoping the Welsh government will change in the law to protect animals, who just like humans can suffer fatal damage from second hand smoking.

Over 200 people have already signed the online petition which was launched on Friday. Megan, who owns a black Labrador called Leo, said: “I want to make every dog have a comfortable, safe, happy life. As a non smoker, when I pass someone smoking in an open space, it’s a horrible nauseating smell to me and many others, so imagine that being in a car.

“I’m doing this not just as the dog lover i am, but as a humane individual. Animals, just like humans can suffer fatal damage from second hand smoking. Please, sign the petition and be the voice of those who do not have one.”

Cancer in Animals

Research has linked second-hand smoke to cancer in cats, finding that cats living with smokers are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma, compared with cats in non-smoking households.

Another study found a higher incidence of nasal tumors and cancer of the sinus in dogs living in a home with smokers. The nasal/sinus tumors were specifically found among the long-nosed breeds such as retrievers and German shepherds. Unfortunately, dogs with nasal cancer do not usually survive more than one year. The same study showed higher lung cancer rates in short to medium nosed dogs, such as boxers and bulldogs, who live with smokers.

Smoking in vehicles

From October 2015, it became illegal to smoke in a car, or any other vehicle, with anyone under the age of 18 in the vehicle. The law changed to protect children and young people from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50.

Megan added: “To many, this may well seem like a small, rather trivial issue what with things so huge going on in this world. But when you break it down, it is these “little things” that make the world a better place. But in fact, I don’t think this is a small trivial issue at all. This won’t be where I stop. My mission in life, as I’ve said, is to save dogs and this is just the start.”

For more information and to sign the petition please follow this link:

https://www.change.org/p/welsh-government-make-it-illegal-to-smoke-in-a-vehicle-with-animals-inside