TU Dublin Experts Urge Greater Protection for Children from Second-Hand Smoke in Homes
An international team of public health experts, including Professor Luke Clancy of the TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland at TU Dublin, is calling for enhanced protections against second-hand smoke exposure for children within their homes.
A newly published study in the BMJ journal Tobacco Control, led by Professor Seán Semple at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, highlights the urgent need for a fresh approach to this issue, including the consideration of legislative measures to prevent smoking in homes where children are present.
Irish co-author Professor Luke Clancy emphasised Ireland’s leadership in tobacco control, noting:
As the first country in the world to introduce national smoke-free workplace legislation and an early adopter of smoke-free car policies when children are present, Ireland should also support enhanced protections for children against exposure to second-hand smoke in their own homes.
This call for action follows the recent 20th anniversary of Ireland’s landmark smoke-free public spaces legislation, introduced in 2004, which successfully reduced exposure to second-hand smoke in workplace settings. While existing policies have proven effective in reducing adult exposure, progress in lowering children’s exposure has been considerably slower.
Evidence indicates that second-hand smoke concentrations in homes can be significantly higher than in public spaces due to smaller room sizes and inadequate ventilation. Children exposed to second-hand smoke at home face an increased risk of severe health complications, including respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations, and impaired lung development. Globally, second-hand smoke exposure causes over one million premature deaths annually, with children bearing 61% of the years of life lost due to this exposure. Moreover, children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately affected, exacerbating health inequalities.
In response, academics are proposing a series of policy changes, including the introduction of national targets to reduce second-hand smoke exposure among children, as well as tailored interventions for vulnerable populations.
Professor Seán Semple, the study’s lead author, stated:
Despite 74 countries implementing comprehensive smoke-free policies in public spaces, protection does not extend to homes – the primary environment where children are exposed. This represents a significant gap in safeguarding children's health in the UK and beyond. Legislative measures could drive real change, much like existing bans on smoking in cars carrying children.
With the UK Government’s progressive Tobacco and Vapes Bill aimed at achieving a smoke-free generation, experts argue that ensuring smoke-free homes for children should be a key focus of future tobacco control strategies. Professor Clancy added that the UK’s new Tobacco and Vapes Bill presents an opportunity to further consider protective measures for children against second-hand smoke exposure.
The research paper, featuring contributions from international experts across the UK, Europe, and both North and South America, represents a global call to protect vulnerable populations through innovative, evidence-based policies.