A pilot randomised control trial of an intervention to reduce children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in the home in disadvantaged communities in Scotland

The harmful health effects of children’s exposure to second-hand smoke are well established. Most second-hand smoke exposure now occurs in the home, in low-income households, because of challenges including limited access to private outdoor space and sole parenting. Our previous research suggests that using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the home instead of smoking indoors may help in these circumstances. We want to build on this work to see if using NRT to create a smoke-free home is effective for smokers, their families and the NHS. But first we need to conduct a pilot study where some smokers will get free NRT delivered to their home alongside telephone support to create a smoke-free home, and compare this with smokers to do not get NRT and telephone support. If results are promising, we will run a trial big enough to tell us whether this approach improves child health outcomes.