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