I agree, Becca. Here's new evidence that smoking, even away from children, can be harmful to them:

We've all heard about the dangers of second hand smoke - but did you know that third hand smoke can also be harmful to your child? "Third hand smoke is the residual toxin and particles that's left behind after a cigarette has been extinguished."

Doctor Tamara Berry says besides being absorbed into the clothes and hair of the smoker, the poisons in the third hand smoke are left behind on things like the sofa, your child's soft cloth toys, their clothes, your carpet --- items your child touches and even put in their mouth.

If someone smokes in the car, even when the children are not in the car, the toxin filled smoke clings to the upholstery of the vehicle and the cloth of the car seat, something your child sits in several times a day.

Yes, your child may not be directly inhaling smoke, but Doctor Berry says they are being exposed to the same harsh chemicals. "Well there are no differences in the poisons that are found in second hand and third hand smoke. Generally speaking, the poisons that are found in cigarette smoke include things such as carbon monoxide, lead, toluene and other contaminants or poisons that we generally try to keep away from our children."

Third hand smoke is especially dangerous to children who already suffer from respiratory problems, such as asthma. "Those exposures can lead to more flairs of asthma, more cold symptoms, hospitalizations are increased for those children who are exposed to second and third hand smoke especially if they have a disease like asthma."

Doctor Bryan Burke says the best way to protect your child is to prohibit smoking in the house and car. Ask family members to wear a jacket when smoking outdoors that they can remove and hang in the carport or garage before coming back into the house. And if you're thinking open windows, air purifiers and fans will allow you to smoke indoors and keep smoke away from children, that's just not the case.

Smoking is an addiction. It's not easy to quit and often requires the help of your doctor. But bringing up children in a smoke free home is one of the most significant contributions to your child's health that you as a parent can make.