‘I don’t think mum will ever stop smoking but I will keep attempting to make her stop’ children and young people’s views
Update RequiredTo play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Author(s)
Neneh Rowa-Dewar, Amanda Amos and Sarah Cunningham-Burley
Presenter(s)
Neneh Rowa-Dewar PhD Student, Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh
Abstract
Much progress has been made in recent years in reducing exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in public places in the UK, yet many children continue to experience high levels of SHS exposure with the associated health risks in their homes and cars. Children from socio-economically disadvantaged households are at particular risk as their parents are more likely to smoke and less likely to enforce smoking restrictions at home. This qualitative PhD study explores the experiences and views on smoking and SHS of 38 children and young people aged 10-15 recruited from two Edinburgh communities of highly contrasting socio-economic profiles.
Virtually absent within existing literature, children and young people’s perspectives on smoking in the home can aid practitioner understanding of the important role children and young people play in negotiating smoking restrictions and encouraging parental cessation attempts. However, while encouraged by children, such cessation attempts can also lead to tension within the family and while wishing parents quit smoking, children are also sensitive to any moralising about smoking parents. This presentation will also highlight how the contrasting experiences and involvement in decisions around smoking and SHS exposure in the home and car appear to be structured by wider social norms.
