AS our Stub it Out campaign to ban smoking in Bolton's pubs, restaurant and public buildings gathers support, Kathryn Eccles went to Roscow Fold Primary School in Breightmet to hear the views of the next generation.

RHIA WALTON fears for her cigarette smoking parents and says: "It makes me feel sad because they might die early."

Her views were echoed by her schoolfriends at Roscow Fold, many of whom want their parents to stop smoking.

Out of the 31 children in the class, 24 said their parents were regular smokers.

Nine of the pupils also said they suffered from asthma, a condition linked to being in a smoky environment.

Rhia, aged nine, said: "My mum and dad have smoked ever since I was a baby.

"I tell them to stop and they say they will give up, but never do."

Daniel Phillips, aged nine, said: "I ask my mum to stop and she has cut down for me, for my birthday. That made me really happy. I tell her that it's bad for her and she tells me to stop reminding her and that she already knows."

Jamie Breen, aged 10, said: "Most of my family smoke and I'm always telling them to stop it. I even try holding my breath."

Their stories are all familiar. Joby Norris, aged nine, has had asthma since he was two. He said: "My mum and her boyfriend smoke and I have asked them to stop. My mum has tried to stop, but she keeps starting again."

Amy Haslam, aged nine, said: "Both my mum and dad smoke in the house and I go out to play when they do.

Michael Brooks, aged nine, said: "My dad smokes, but he has started going to the front door to smoke now."

Reece Ducker, aged nine, said: "Both my mum and dad have always smoked. I want to look after them by telling them what I have learnt about how bad smoking is."

Destiny Yates, aged 10, said: "My mum and dad smoke and I tell them all the time to stop, but they say they get stressed."

But there is a odd success story.

Chloe Ottewill, aged 11, said: "I don't ever want to smoke. My dad gave up smoking about eight months ago because I have a sister who's 14 and he doesn't want her to start. My mum still smokes, but she has cut down a lot and goes outside to smoke."

Rachel Scowcroft, aged nine, also put her views down in writing. She wrote a poem on the subject.

"Smoking is bad for you

The effects of smoking kills others too,

Our money is rapidly going

People have more and more signs of it showing;

Smelly breath

Makes a horrible death

Other people think it's cool to smoke but

Killing people is not a joke

It can change your life forever

Now, if you want, we can stop smoking together

Give it up now, for all of your fate. Give it up now before it's too late."

Readers are asked to support the campaign by singing the coupon published in Bolton Evening News or a petition at the reception of the paper's head office in Churchgate, Bolton. Alternatively click here and print off a copy.