In 2010, the majority (90%) of parents/caregivers of children aged five to 16 thought that they had influence over whether their child starts to smoke or not. Around three in four (76%) thought they could prevent their child from starting to smoke, and around one-half (47%) had set rules with their child about not smoking. Around six in ten (61%) told their child they didn’t want them to smoke, and almost all (97%) thought their child did not smoke at the time of the survey.
Methodology
Methodology Respondents who were a parent or a caregiver of a child aged 5- to 16-years-old were asked a set of specific questions on parenting and smoking:
• As a parent or caregiver, do you have any influence over whether (your child) starts to smoke cigarettes or tobacco (yes/no)?
• Do you think that you are able to prevent (your child) from starting smoking cigarettes or tobacco (yes/no)?
• Do you have set rules with (your child) about not smoking cigarettes or tobacco (yes/no)?
• How often do you tell (your child) that you don’t want him/her to smoke cigarettes or tobacco (never/rarely/sometimes/often/ very often)?
• Which of the following best describes how often you think (your child) smokes now (never tried, tried in the past but stopped/ yes - occasionally or socially/ yes - at least once a week/ yes - at least once a day)?
Non-response to some of the questions was high. This was due to some parents/caregivers thinking that the questions were irrelevant to their children because they were still too young to start smoking, or already smoke. Those respondents were excluded from the analysis, hence the reduced sample size.3
Data from respondents who provided a valid response was summarised and compared by smoking status, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation status, gender, and educational background of parents/caregivers, as well as age of child. Statistically significant differences (p<.05) are reported.
Key Results
• The majority (90%) of parents/caregivers thought that they had influence over whether their child starts to smoke or not.
• Around three in four (76%) parents/caregivers thought that they were able to prevent their child from starting to smoke.
• About one-half (47%) of parents/caregivers said they had set rules with their child about not smoking.
• Around six in 10 (61%) parents/caregivers ‘sometimes’, ‘often’, or ‘very often’ told their child that they don’t want him/her to smoke.
• Almost all parents/caregivers (97%) thought their child did not smoke at the time of the survey.