Smoke free homes

Second-hand smoke is the smoke that comes from the end of a lit cigarette and the smoke breathed out by a person when they are having a cigarette. This smoke is harmful and can be breathed in by people close by. The smoke can stay in the air after a person has finished smoking – even if you cannot see or smell it. Evidence shows that 85% of second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless. Because of this, it is important to do what you can to not expose other people to second-hand smoke.

Why is having a smoke free house important?

Even if you are a non-smoker, second-hand smoke can increase your risk of illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease. No amount of second-hand smoke is safe so smokers should be encouraged to smoke outside and away from the home. Even with a window or door open, smoke can get back into the house.

Is smoking away from people enough to protect them?

You may already do things to try to protect your family such as smoking out of a window or door, or going into another room – and this is a great start! However, smoking at the back door or with the window open is not enough to protect others. Here are some myth busters to explain why:

• Second-hand smoke stays in the air for up to 5 hours after your last cigarette
• Most of the harmful chemicals in smoke cannot be seen
• Smoke can blow back into the house and from room to room even with the door and window open.

Second hand smoke and children

Many people who grew up exposed to second-hand smoke may have felt fine during their childhood, however it’s important to recognise that there are hidden dangers that are not always obvious.

Second-hand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals of which hundreds are toxic, and around 70 of them cause cancer. These are especially dangerous for children, as they breathe faster than adults and their lungs and immune systems are not fully developed yet. When breathed in by children, smoke in the home puts them at risk of illnesses like asthma, coughs, colds and ear problems. For very young children this can also put them more at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

There is also evidence to show that children are 4 times more likely to take up smoking when they are older if their parent or carer smokes.

If you have guests that smoke, having a conversation with them can be awkward at first, however, you must do what you can to protect those around you. When they’re visiting, make sure to kindly ask your friends or relatives if they can put out any cigarettes before they arrive, or go outside if they want to smoke.

What can I do to help?

There are a few things you can do to achieve a smoke-free household:

• Ask those who smoke to always go outside to smoke and make sure they take several steps away from the property
• Close doors and windows so the smoke cannot travel back inside the home
• Keep a jacket or umbrella by the door and put a chair outside to make smoking outdoors more comfortable
• Keep ashtrays outside and do not leave them in the house
• Encourage smokers to switch to e-cigarettes to lower the harm and risks of exposure
• Get smokers help to quit from your local stop-smoking service

We are committed to supporting you to maintain a smoke-free home. Because of this, we have created ‘Step Right Out’– a campaign which encourages you to join our community of residents who have pledged to maintain a smoke-free home and protect each other from second hand smoke.

Are you ready to quit smoking?

The best way to protect others from second-hand smoke is by quitting smoking altogether. If you want to quit smoking, our team of experts can help. Visit our stop smoking page for support and information on how we can help.

Start your health and wellbeing journey today

If you’re ready to improve your health and wellbeing, why not complete our self-assessment? All you need to do is answer a few questions about your health and tell us your wellbeing goals.

Take the Assessment