Stoptober- Can You Foster If You Smoke?
Initially launched back in 2012, Stoptober runs throughout the whole of October and the annual campaign is designed to help people quit their smoking habit. Smokers join together and pledge to spend the entire October smoke-free, with the ultimate goal of quitting altogether. With Stoptober in mind, we wanted to look at a question we are asked a lot- ‘Can I foster if I smoke?’
If you stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to quit for good.
Fostering and Smoking
Although we completely understand how difficult it can be to quit smoking, we don’t allow anyone to foster if they smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes or vaping, if the child is 5 or younger. Passive smoking can be extremely harmful and we have a responsibility to promote the health of the children in our care. This isn’t a decision we take lightly.
Although we do allow smokers to foster older children, we must also ensure that you don’t smoke in front of them or in their environment.
Stop Smoking Support
We know that some people have a strong desire to foster, but they also smoke. If this sounds like you, there are some really great resources to help you stub out your habit for good:
https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/help-and-advice/local-support-services-helplines
https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking
Or why not take part in stoptober. It can be the first step towards quitting for good.
If smoking has become a sticking point in your desire to foster we would encourage you to seek advice and support. Alternatively do get in touch if you’d like to have an informal chat about how smoking affects your eligibility to become a foster carer.