Survey calls for smoking ban in family homes

Nearly three-quarters of people believe that smoking should be banned in households with children, according to research by Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP).

The survey of 1275 adults, conducted by ICM Research, found that 72% of people questioned were in favour of a ban, including 65% of smokers.

However, the research also found that nearly half of those surveyed were unaware of the impact that smoking has children.

Doctors say that children not only suffer the harmful effects of passive smoking, but that the children of smokers are also more likely to become smokers themselves.

According to the survey, 42% of children live in homes with at least one smoker and a third of smokers admit to smoking around children.

The DPP also found that most people were unaware of how rapidly health improves after giving up smoking. Only 9% of those surveyed were able to give the correct amount of time – 20 minutes – that it takes the body to benefit from quitting.

However, the survey found that 66% of people believed that employers should offer smokers support to help them kick the habit.

The results of the survey have been published to coincide with the launch of the DPP’s ‘Driving Out Smoking’ campaign, which gives smokers and their families practical advice on how to stop smoking.

Commenting on the results, Dr Terry John, DPP spokesperson and GP, said: “These results show how strongly people feel about smoking around children in the home. We want to help people to make the decision themselves about stopping smoking. Parents need practical help that show the positive side of quitting and encouraging the whole family to get healthy together, rather than a law forcing them not to smoke at home.”

The DPP’s campaign has been supported by anti-smoking campaigners, ASH. Deborah Arnott, Director of ASH, said: “Although knowledge about the dangers of passive smoking is growing, many people underestimate the harm that it causes, especially to children. The only way for parents to protect their children from tobacco smoke is by making their homes entirely smokefree.”

(KMcA/SP)