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Secondhand Smoke and looked after children in Glasgow

 

Secondhand Smoke and Looked After and Accommodated Children

 

Given the success of the Smokefree Scotland law in protecting workers from SHS, a key area of concern now relates to children's exposure to SHS, particularly in more deprived areas (see link to smoking in the home). In partnership with Glasgow City Council Social Work Services and other service providers, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde set up a 2-year project in 2007 to establish a supportive smoke free environment for all looked after and accommodated children and to develop a specialist stop smoking services for this vulnerable group.

Looked after and accommodated children are less likely to access health services and their health is worse than the general population. A study in Glasgow found that 75% of young people in care smoked and 27% started smoking while in care. Children living with parents or carers who smoke are nearly three times more likely to smoke themselves compared with those who do not smoke. Because of all this a new tobacco policy for looked after and accommodated children is being developed. Support is now being provided to other local council areas.

An audit of current smoking trends and attitudes of staff and foster carers in residential and foster care placements in Glasgow was conducted in 2007. A copy of the report is available at the following weblink:

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/9A13A748-F52A-4F3E-BFED-740EF1EFFC78/0/SmokeFreeCarePlacementsforLookedafterChildrenandYoungPeople.pdf

For further information click on the following links:

The fostering Network Policy Paper: Foster Carers and Smoking
http://www.fostering.net/resources/documents/health/smoking_policy_june07.pdf

ASH Scotland Policy Paper: Adoption and Tobacco Use
http://www.ashscotland.org.uk/ash/files/ASH%20Scotland%20Policy%20Paper%20-%20Adoption%20and%20Tobacco%20Use1.doc

 
 
What is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde doing?

Addressing smoking in the home in particularly towards children under the age of five years is important to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It is a Scotland wide priority.

We aim to increase awareness of the effects of secondhand smoke, to protect children from the damaging effects of secondhand smoke and to increase the number of smokefree homes and cars across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. This campaign will include:


1. A training programme that will increase awareness of the effects of secondhand smoke.


2. The development of a leaflet and poster that will support the messages delivered through the training.


3. Evaluation of the training.


4. Linking in with national smoking in the home media campaigns.


1. The training programme: Reducing Children's Exposure to Secondhand Smoke.

 

The half day training is aimed at health professionals, community workers and volunteers who have direct face to face contact with parents and carers of children under the age of five years and are able to provide follow up. In addition secondhand smoke awareness sessions can also be delivered. For more information see contact details at the bottom of this page.


The half day training programme will include:

  • Introduction to NHSGGC Smoking in the Home Programme
  • Health impact of secondhand smoking
  • Assessing the occurrence of secondhand smoke exposure
  • Barriers in raising the issue of secondhand smoking
  • Secondhand smoking and Behaviour Change
  • Practical guidance in raising the issue of secondhand smoke exposure
  • The Five-Point Plan handout which acts as a reminder of the course content when raising the issue of secondhand smoke exposure

Over 500 have attended the training across Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The training has been evaluated. The study showed us that if the correct health professionals are trained they are in a better position to raise the issue of secondhand smoke and support changes in behaviour. The main target group for the training are health visitor groups. A copy of the full report is available.

icon Evaluation Report

2. Leaflet and poster.

This was developed using parents and carers of children living in Glasgow, a copy of the report is available here. 

icon Focus Group Report - Secondhand smoke - 2009 (1.27 MB)


secondhandsmokeouter.jpg - 641.19 Kbicon Secondhand smoke-outer-leaflet 

secondhandsmokeinner.jpg - 687.64 Kb     icon Secondhand smoke - leaflet - inner

  

3. Monitoring and evaluation of the training

A monitoring and evaluation framework has been produced for the training. A copy of this is available here.



4. Linking in with national smoking in the home media campaigns

 
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will ensure National campaigns are implemented locally as they arise. 



 5.  Smoking in Cars Campaign

The University of Aberdeen carried out a study for Greater Glasgow and Clyde to measure levels of secondhand smoke in cars where people smoked. The study measured fine particles present in secondhand smoke. These particles go deep into the lungs affecting lung and heart health especially with children. A doll was placed in a car seat with tubing attached to the doll's nose which connected to a monitor. The monitor measured the fine particles present in the car. A fine particulate measurement of 25 and over is considered unhealthy. The study reported that the average level during smoking journeys was 95, more than half of smoking car journeys reported a peak level of over 250 and the highest recorded level was 886. The study also reported that opening windows and having the ventilation on had little effect in bring the particles down to a safe level. The study was repeated in Great Yarmouth, the information for both studies was reported collectively. Information from this was then published in Tobacco Control.


NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Study icon Glasgow Smoking in Cars


The paper that was submitted to Tobacco Control icon Research Paper Smoking in Cars can be viewed online by clicking here.



If you would like further information about secondhand smoke or would like to attend training in your local area please feel free to contact us.


Brenda Friel
Health Improvement Senior (Tobacco Control)
0141 201 4654

 

 

 

 







 

 
 
Secondhand Smoke

What is secondhand smoke?


secondhandsmokeposter.jpg - 628.09 KbSecondhand smoke (SHS) is also known as environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking. Secondhand smoke is smoke that is breathed in from other people's tobacco smoke.It is caused by smoke that is blown out when someone is smoking or it comes from the burning tip of a cigarette, cigar or pipe.The smoke that comes from the burning tip is the most dangerous.This is where most secondhand smoke comes from.



There are more than 4,000 chemicals in every cigarette. At least 69 of these are known to cause cancer and many others are known to be poisonous. Many poisonous substances can stay in a room or car for months after the cigarette has been stubbed out.


Secondhand smoke will quickly spread to other rooms in your house even if a window is open. Secondhand smoke can also stick to clothes, walls, furniture, carpets and toys and increase the risk of health problems for your family, friends and pets.


What is in secondhand smoke?


SHS contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic (cancer-causing), including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide.  For more please see the following document. icon Secondhand Smoke and toxins (22.14 kB) 


What harm can it do?


There is no safe level of exposure to SHS: "The scientific evidence is now clear that secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance. It is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and non-smoking adults" (US Surgeon General, 2006).
Some of the immediate effects of being exposed to secondhand smoke include sore eyes, headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness and feeling sick. Just a few minutes of breathing in other people's smoke can affect the heart of non-smokers.

Summary of the main health effects of exposure to SHS

 

There is conclusive evidence that exposure to SHS causes:

 There is substantial evidence
that exposure to SHS causes:
Adults
(Including Pregnant Women)
  • Lung Cancer
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Asthama attacks in those already affected
  • Onset of symptoms of heart disease
  • Worsening of symptoms of bronchitis
  • Stroke
  • Reduced foetal growth (low weight baby)
  • Premature birth
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Reduced lung function
  • Onset of asthma
Children
  • Cot death
  • Middle-ear disease (ear infections)
  • Respiratory infections
  • Asthma attacks in those already affected
  • Reduced lung function

 

  • Development of asthma in those previously unaffected

Source: Reproduced from BMA (2007) Breaking the cycle of children's exposure to tobacco smoke.


Secondhand smoke and children

 

kids.jpg - 7.58 KbChildren are at particular risk of the damaging effects of  secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing, they breathe faster and have immature immune systems that make them more vulnerable to effects of secondhand smoke than adults.  For more information please click here.




Secondhand smoke and Looked After and Accommodated Children

For further information on the work being done within Greater Glasgow and Clyde around secondhand smoke and Looked After and Accommodated Children please click here.


The benefits of a Smokefree Home and Car

Please see the following document for information on the benefits of a smokefree home and car.icon Benefits of a Smokefree home and car (17.38 kB)


Where can you get more information?


Health Scotland has recently produced some resources on second hand smoke and its effect on health.  Plans are in place to update these resources.


Passive smoking leaflet: unclouding the issue available in English, Urdu and Chinese available at the following link.
http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/225.aspx


ASH website has some good information on second hand smoke and its effects.  The following links to an information sheet that they have produced on secondhand smoke. (http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_113.pdf)


BMA report: Breaking the cycle of children's exposure to tobacco smoke (2007).
http://www.bma.org.uk/health_promotion_ethics/tobacco/breakingthecycle.jsp


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Secondhand smoke and children


sf home.bmp - 231.66 KbChildren are at particular risk of the damaging effects of secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing, they breathe faster and they have immature immune systems.  This makes them more vulnerable to effects of secondhand smoke than adults.




Some facts about secondhand smoke and children 

  • Children can actually breathe in around 150 cigarettes a year when adults smoke around them.
  • Each day in Britain fifty children under the age of five are admitted to hospital because of the effects of secondhand smoke.
  • Children learn habits from the people closest to them. If they live with someone who smokes they are 3 times more likely to smoke themselves when they grow up.
  • Infants inhale double the amount of household dust compared to adults and so inhale more dust containing secondhand smoke toxins. Infants also have greater hand/ object /mouth contact and so absorb more secondhand smoke toxins through ingestion, as well as through inhalation.

    Why are we worried about the dangers to children?

    Children and babies who live in homes or travel in cars where people smoke have a greater chance of:

    • Becoming ill with coughs and ear infections
    • Suffering from on-going chest problems such as wheezing, asthma and bronchitis

    • Dying from cot death (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) 

    What can I do to keep my family safe from secondhand smoke?

    • Make your home a smoke free home and ask friends and family to smoke outside
    • Avoid smoking or allowing other people to smoke in your car at all times

    Fact: Children learn habits from the people closest to them and if they live with someone who smokes they are three times more likely to smoke themselves when they grow up.              


    Some common beliefs about secondhand smoke:   

    False: Opening windows and doors, or restricting smoking to one room in the house will get rid of secondhand smoke.


    False: Once smoke has visibly cleared from the room, the danger from secondhand smoke has gone.


    secondhandsmokeinner1.jpg - 116.08 Kb    False: I wind down the windows in my car and try to blow the smoke out so the smoke isn't in the car at all.


    Fact: all secondhand smoke is a danger - not just the smoke we can see in the air. We actually can't see 85% of secondhand smoke.


    Fact: The only way to fully protect your family from secondhand smoke is to smoke outside.


    "We are making the choice to smoke and they haven't. They are having to take it (secondhand smoke) whether they like it or not." (Mother from Glasgow who smokes)
     

    Lots of people would like to smoke outside but say that it can be difficult for lots of reasons, so what can you do?

    • Think about different things you can do to reduce the risk of exposing your family to secondhand smoke.
    • Think about the benefits for your family.
    • Perhaps the first step might be to stop smoking in the car.
    • If you smoke and want to cut down, try using nicotine replacement therapy, especially when you are with your children.
    • Maybe in time you will also decide to stop smoking altogether. There's lots of help available and we are happy to help. If you would like any help to stop smoking click here.


    "It's not a good compromise to smoke in one room, but for me it's a step. If anyone comes into my house and wants to smoke they have to come into my room". (Mother from Glasgow who smokes)


    Current papers and research.

    Royal College of Physicians

    The Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians launched a report in March 2004 called ' Passive smoking and children'. The survey found that children are particularly vunerable to passive smoke exposure most of which occurs in the home.  For a summary of the report please click here.


    ASH Scotland

    Funding has been received to carry out research to help reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke, particularly in deprived communities. For more information click here.