Preventing exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke

Description of impact

Homes and cars were exempt from the UK’s 2006/07 smoke-free legislation, in part because of a lack of data on potential harms. Since 2013, research staff within the Respiratory Group at the University of Aberdeen have worked to fill this evidence gap and assessing the potential harm of second-hand tobacco smoke on the health of non-smokers, particularly young children, in homes and cars. Findings from our research have influenced UK policy to ban smoking in cars carrying children, enhanced public awareness of the risks of second-hand smoke, informed Scottish Government strategy on tobacco and reduced the number of children most at risk from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Outcomes to Date / Future Developments

The University of Aberdeen research programme on preventing exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke has influenced UK policy on smoking in cars, enhanced public awareness of the risks of second-hand smoke, informed Scottish Government strategy on tobacco and reduced the number of children exposed to second-hand smoke.

Impact status	Impact Completed (Open)
Impact date	2008 → 2020
Category of impact	Societal