Tobacco-free culture for children and young people who are looked after

There is both evidence and concern that children and young people who are 'looked after' are much more likely to be affected by tobacco and second-hand smoke (SHS) than their peers.  The health risks of smoking and SHS exposure are well known to have a negative impact on both health and life outcomes and unfortunately this is a persistent health inquality between children who are looked after and other children and young people.  Please refer to our viewpoint article for more information.

Residential settings

Smoking or exposure to tobacco should not be seen as either the norm or inevitable for young people living within residential care settings.  Rather it should be discouraged, discussed and addressed.  We have worked with the Care Inspectorate and a residential provider to develop policy guidance for residential providers.  The Care Inspectorate launch this guidance called Creating a tobacco-free culture: guidance for providers of residential care for children and young people in April 2017.

Corporate parenting

In 2017 we published and disseminated a paper to all Scotland's Corporate Parents.  This paper called on them to include planned action on tobacco within their corporate parenting plans as part of their responsibility to promote the wellbeing of care experienced children and young people.

Future work

We are currently working to develop projects and policy to encourage tobacco-free cultures for all children and young people who are 'looked after', either through kinship care, foster care, looked-after at home or in residential placements.  In 2018 we will be consulting with kinship carers and producing supportive materials and resources informed by this consultation.

For more information about any aspect of this work,  please contact Joanne Buchan (Development Lead) on 0131 225 4725 or jbuchan@ashscotland.org.uk

Updated 1st December 2017