Coronavirus: Children more at risk of secondhand smoke in lockdown

Evidence from the YouGov COVID tracker shows that people who live in households that include children are nearly twice as likely to report being exposed to secondhand smoke since lockdown compared to those without children (10 per cent compared with 6 per cent). 

A further 12 per cent of smokers who live with children report they are smoking indoors more than they did before lockdown.

The findings are based on an online YouGov survey carried out between 5 -15 May with 4,007 respondents.

The warning comes from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), British Lung Foundation, Fresh and Breathe 2025.

YouGov’s COVID tracker found that parents who smoke are just as likely as other smokers to report making  attempts to quit smoking and are trying to reduce the amount they smoke since lockdown.

However, the indication that lockdown is leading to more frequent exposure to secondhand smoke has raised concerns that peope are not getting the right support to stop smoking and to protect those around them from tobacco smoke at this time.

Eighty-five per cent of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless, but many people are not aware that steps like opening a window, smoking by the back door or smoking in another room do little to protect children and other non-smoking adults, ASH said.

However, experts acknowledge that it is also much harder for parents living in blocks of flats than those with access to outdoor space to smoke outside.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, which is leading a campaign to encourage smokers to QuitForCovid, said, ‘This is an issue of equity. If you live in a high-rise block, taking your smoke outside is much harder than in a semi-detached with a garden.

‘We know parents who smoke are trying to quit and reduce the amount they smoke — and we need to make sure they have the support the need to do this. I urge smokers to get in touch with local services and to use other sources of nicotine as an alternative to smoking indoors if they need help to handle cravings. They can find out more at www.todayistheday.org.uk.’

Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, raising the risks of more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and even meningitis and sudden infant death. 

Among adults, exposure significantly increases the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and lung cancer in non-smokers.

Respiratory consultant Dr Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation and chair of ASH, said, ‘Exposure to secondhand smoke is one of the leading causes of poor respiratory health in children. Smokers need to take their smoke outside but should try to quit if they can. Using alternative sources of nicotine like patches, gum or e-cigarettes can help reduce craving and protect them and their loved ones, especially children, from harm.’