Researchers at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit surveyed 3,300 people online through the Michigan Humane Society, Pet Supplies Plus pet stores and Henry Ford Health System. They looked at the smoking behaviors of people who own or live with a pet. Participants were either smokers or non-smokers who lived with a dog, cat or bird.

Cat, dog, chinchilla, whatever the pet, over 28% of smokers said knowing that smoking was bad for their pets' health would motivate them to kick the habit. Another 11% said they would think about quitting.

"We hope smokers realize that the health of their pets is affected by their smoking habit, and that secondhand smoke's impact is not limited just to human beings," says Sharon Milberger, Sc. D, the study's lead author. Of the 71 million pet owners in the United States, about a fifth are smokers, Milberger told Fox News.

"Exposure to second-hand smoke has been linked to cancer, allergies, eye and skin diseases and respiratory problems in dogs and cats," Milberger explained.

In addition to the detrimental affects smoking has on your, your family's and now your pet's health, smokers usually pay higher rates for health, life and even homeowners insurance. Not to mention the staggering price of cigarettes.

If you're a smoker and you have a beloved pet at home, consider not only the affects smoking has on your and your family's health, but what it may be doing to your faithful friend.

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