Smokers would rather quit smoking for the wellbeing of their pets, than for their own health, an American study has shown, published on Tuesday in the Tobacco Control specialised magazine.

Science has already proved that passive smoking is harmful for humans, but scientists have recently researched the damages tobacco smoke can cause in animals. They especially focused on the appearance of lymphoma in cats of nasal cancer and lung cancer in dogs.

They also researched the link between passive smoking and allergic reactions in dogs, as well as eye disease, breathing difficulties and dermatitis in birds.

Unaware of the harm

However, it seems that not many smokers are aware that they harm their pets by smoking.

Scientists of the Henry Ford Health System institution from Detroit surveyed 3,300 pet owners in Michigan.

The fact that tobacco is harmful for the health of their pet was reason enough for every third subject (28.4 percent) to quit smoking, the study has shown.

Pets are efficient arguments

The study also found that 16 percent of non-smokers were prepared to ask their partner, whom they lived with, to stop smoking, because of their pet`s health, while 24 percent would request the partner smokes outside.

Scientists conclude that animal health might be an efficient argument in anti-smoking campaigns.

Nearly two-thirds of households in the United States of America include a pet.