NHS Ayrshire & Arran has launched a new campaign to make pet owners aware of the dangers of tobacco - to their pets.

They tell us that many pet owners who smoke often do not realise that their second-hand smoke could also be having a deadly effect on their beloved pet.

Fresh Air-shire, NHS Ayrshire & Arran's smoking cessation service, in partnership with University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine, have launched a new poster campaign - 'How many cigarettes does your pet smoke a day?' Dr Carol Davidson of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said: "While we know that the best thing smokers can do is to give up smoking, we also recognise that some people may not be ready to quit. In the meantime we want to encourage them to think about the impact that smoking has on the health of others in their homes and cars.

"Many animal lovers who are also smokers may not realise that their second-hand smoke will also be having an effect on their pets' health. We want to encourage as many smokers as possible to consider either smoking outside or making one room in their house the designated smoking room." Some vets say that pet owners who smoke are usually unaware of how strong the smell of cigarette smoke is in the animal's fur, but they can smell it almost as soon as the animal walks into the consulting room." Have those beagles stopped smoking yet?

IT's unusual for me to agree with a Labour politician but I find myself in agreement with two in the one week!

First, Councillor Alex Gallagher (who is the Laurel to my Hardy) makes the case for Largs promenade to not only be improved but be modernised.

Anyone who has been abroad, whether to Mediterranean resorts or to the USA or Australia, has seen how attractive proms can be. Like Alex, I think money can be found for ours.

Second, I am shoulder to shoulder with Labour MP Katy Clark (who is the Lacey to my Cagney - Jimmy, that is) when she calls for strong action against the energy companies.

They are blatantly ripping us all off with staggering 8 to 11 per cent price rises in a recession. As Katy says, these profiteering rogues should be forced to pass on savings.