Practical tips for change
This section provides advice for professionals on raising the issue of second-hand smoke with parents and carers. The REFRESH flowchart in combination with the facts and evidence provided in the REFRESH – How to Guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to help parents and carers reduce smoking in the home and car.
You can use the steps in the REFRESH flowchart to raise the issue and prompt a short discussion with parents.
These questions and tools have helped parents to reduce smoking in the home and car and are based on the REFRESH intervention.
Remember: Before raising the issue of second-hand smoke you should consider whether the parent is likely to be receptive to any questions and whether it is the right time and place.
Some parents and carers might feel creating a smoke-free home is too challenging. You can read about some of the main barriers and concerns that parents might raise and offers potential solutions. You can help parents by using some of the solutions as guides to encourage parents to think about and develop their own solutions.
Raising the issue of second-hand smoke exposure with a parent/carer does NOT mean you are asking them to stop smoking. By raising the issue, you are informing parents/carers of the risks caused by second-hand smoke exposure and trying to reduce this harm by encouraging and supporting them to smoke outside.
