Rugby stars have joined a campaign to kick passive smoking into touch.

The Smoke-Free Homes Award is aimed at persuading parents in the city not to smoke in front of their children. Health staff held four events to launch the initiative across the city yesterday and were on hand to offer advice on the effect of smoke on youngsters. Hull KR players Scott Thorburn, scrum half, and Anthony Seibold, loose forward, also gave their backing to the campaign. Anthony said: "Passive smoking is harmful for children. You only have to look at the statistics to see that. This is a good opportunity for people to make a commitment not to smoke around their children." Parents are urged to sign up for a gold, silver or bronze award. The gold goes to those who promise to make their homes smoke-free, the silver to those who will only allow smoking in one room, and the bronze for people who pledge not to smoke in front of children. Families signing up to the award will be given a goody bag, including a door hanger, window sticker and certificate. The idea originated in West Yorkshire, and a pilot scheme is now being tried in Hull by the NHS. It is focused on the most deprived areas in the city, which are covered by Sure Start schemes. Glenis Dawson, a midwife health co-ordinator in Marfleet Lane, east Hull, said: "We are hoping people will sign up to the scheme because it is bad for children to breathe in second-hand smoke." April Cundy, co-ordinator of the Humber Alliance Against Tobacco, said: "This project isn't about stopping smoking, it's about making a choice to protect children's health." [email protected]

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