Delivering smokefree homes and cars?

Authors:
Fiona Andrews, Kate Knight and Kate Barrett

Presenters:
Fiona Andrews
Director

Kate Knight
Head of Social Marketing and Communications, Smokefree South West, Bristol, UK

Abstract
Secondhand smoke is still a threat to children’s health in the South West as a 2009 survey revealed that more than one in five adults in the South West still allow smoking inside their home.

In order to prompt people to change their behaviour, Smokefree South West commissioned in depth research to get inside the minds of smokers to discover the trigger that will make them stop, think and take their smoking outside.

The most significant finding from the research was that smokers believe that secondhand smoke is only harmful at the actual time of smoking, and once the smell disappears, they believe the danger to children and other non-smokers has gone too.

The fact that dangerous toxins in secondhand smoke linger for hours after a cigarette has been put out was ‘new news’ to respondents. Many found this realisation ‘scary’ and claimed it made them think twice about smoking at home, even when children were not in the same room.

This and other key insights from the research will be used to develop interventions to prompt people to change their smoking behaviour.

Declaration of interest: none

About the presenters
Fiona is Director of Smokefree South West, a new regional organisation which launched in April 2009 to tackle tobacco-related death and disease and drive change across the South West. In this role she leads collective action to reduce smoking prevalence and is responsible for supporting effective regional implementation of the national tobacco control strategy and associated legislation. Prior to her current role Fiona had several years’ experience as the region’s Regional Tobacco Policy Manager and supported implementation of smokefree legislation to protect workers and the public from secondhand smoke.

Kate Knight is Head of Social Marketing and Communications, Smokefree South West Kate has 10 years experience working at a senior level at both the DH and the NHS. At the DH Kate worked closely with Ministers and Secretaries of State to promote health policy and respond to national media stories.

After a year at a London PCT, Kate moved to the South West and spent 5 years working at Strategic Health Authority level.

Earlier this year, Kate took up the post of Head of Social Marketing and Communications at Smokefree South West and is enjoying the new challenge.