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1 November 2011

Children very concerned about parents smoking

Children are so concerned about the impact of smoking on their parent’s health that many would go without Christmas presents to get them to quit, according to new research conducted for the Department of Health.

The research was published on 1st November. Key findings include:
• Over half (54%) of children with a parent who smokes say that their one wish for Christmas is that their Mum or Dad give up smoking.
• Almost all (98%) children with a smoking parent wish that they would quit
• Almost three quarters (73%) of children with a smoking parent worry about the risk of their parent dying. A further 58% worry about the risk of heart disease.
• 94% of children surveyed thought smoking was either stupid (52%) or dangerous (42%).
• 88% of children surveyed wished nobody in the world smoked. 90% say they have never tried a cigarette, and 91% say they never will. 93% wouldn’t want their own children smoking, when they grow up.
• When it comes to what children would do to get their parents to quit, over a third (37%) would go without any Christmas presents; over half (59%) would give up pocket money; and 7 out of ten would commit to doing their homework every night (78%) and going to bed when told (76%).
• Almost a third of children surveyed (29%) admitted to hiding their parents’ cigarettes in a desperate attempt to help them quit.

The research, which polled 1,000 children in England aged 7-13 , coincides with the launch of a second wave of a Department of Health advertising campaign aimed at getting loved ones to quit smoking. It features real children, not actors, talking about how worried they are about their parents’ smoking. The adverts then invite parents to take the first step towards quitting by ordering a free Quit Kit.

Anne Milton, Public Health Minister said, “What’s clear from the research is that children really want their parents to give up smoking. It’s not easy to give up, but we hope the campaign will give people that extra bit of encouragement they need to quit.”

“Around half of all regular smokers are eventually killed by a smoking related illness. Quitting smoking can be tough, but it can be made easier by using help from the.”

To order your Quit Kit visit the NHS Smokefree website (www.nhs.uk/smokefree) or text KIT to 63818. For help and advice about quitting call the NHS helpline on 0800 085 5052.