AN EXHIBITION was held in Barrhead to raise awareness of the harm caused by second-hand smoke.

The 'Second-hand Smoke Roadshow' educated visitors on the ways smoking can impact on others, especially children.

Staff used interactive technology to show parents the invisible toxins which float around and inside their kids when they light up.

Graphics were then mirrored onto a television screen to demonstrate why it is never safe to smoke in the home.

Councillor Alan Lafferty, convener for Social Work and Health, said: "It is eye-opening to see the amount of children still exposed to second-hand smoke in 2016 and the devastating effects this has on them.

"Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your own health and also your child’s.

"The health benefits are almost immediate and it is the best way to protect your family from the hidden dangers of second-hand smoke.

"The roadshow held at The Foundry gave a powerful insight into the dangers of second-hand smoke and by using the living room set it helped to drive home the message to all those who attended."

The event on October 19 was part of a national 'Take It Right Outside' campaign.

Visitors were given the opportunity to have their photograph taken as a keepsake to help motivate future behaviour change.

Agnes Rowland, a smoking cessation officer with East Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership, said: "We want every child in Scotland to have the best start in life and growing up in a smoke-free environment is an important part of that."

Scottish Government figures show there has been a significant decrease in the number of young people exposed to second-hand smoke.

The proportion of children affected was reduced from 11 per cent to six per cent between 2014 and 2015.

For more information on East Renfrewshire's Smokefree Community Services, call 0141 451 0757 or visit www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/stopsmoking