Ban smoking at school gates says majority of people surveyed in Northern Ireland

Charity says Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles without a smoke-free target or strategy to get there.

Released on 31st May 2026

Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland has commissioned a survey of 1,000 people in Northern Ireland, ahead of World No Tobacco Day (31 May), to highlight the high levels of support behind restricting where people can smoke to protect youngsters. 

Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable ill health in Northern Ireland, contributing to a significant gap in life expectancy between the richest and poorest groups, and it's linked to thousands of deaths annually.1  

The charity is calling on Northern Ireland to follow Wales, where a ban on smoking around schools and playgrounds has been in place since March 2021. Nearly seven out of ten (68.6%) people surveyed agreed that smoking at the school gates should be banned to help protect children’s health.2  

Passive smoking although harmful to everyone, is particularly dangerous for children as their lungs are still growing and they breathe faster. When a child breathes in second-hand smoke, it could increase their risk of developing asthma, having an asthma attack, or other breathing problems.3  

Asthma + Lung Northern Ireland would also like to see the Department of Health follow other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland by setting a “smoke free” target of less than 5% of adults smoking by 2035. This should include banning smoking around schools, playgrounds and other locations used by children. Currently no date has been set to achieve this target.   

A smoke free target would be popular said the charity, with more than six out of ten people (62.4%) in Northern Ireland wanting the country to come into line with the rest of the British Isles by setting a smoke free target date. Only 13.7% disagree.4 

Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland are calling for:  

  • The introduction of a levy on tobacco companies to pay for a Smokefree Fund, ringfenced for targeted smoking cessation programmes
  • The creation of smokefree and vape free spaces to ban smoking and vaping around schools, playgrounds, hospitals and GP practices
  • The Northern Ireland Executive to set a smoke-free target date of 2035
  • All healthcare professionals to be trained in offering advice on smoking cessation, including all smokers being asked if they want to quit at each GP visit
  • A new and updated Tobacco Control strategy to be published for Northern Ireland
  • The delivery of a regional lung screening programme
  • The delivery of a Lung Health Strategy for Northern Ireland. 

Sean McVeigh, Principal of St Caolan’s Primary School, Darragh Cross, Co Down, said:  

“This World No Tobacco Day is a reminder that every child deserves to live, learn and play in a smoke free environment. Clean air is not a luxury but a necessity and with children’s lungs still developing, they are particularly sensitive to tobacco smoke and air pollution, especially if they have a lung condition like asthma.  

“At St Caolan’s Primary School, the health and well being of our children is our highest priority, and we fully support Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland’s call to ban smoking at all school and nursery gates.”   

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland, said: 

“Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles without a smoke-free target or current plan or strategy to get us there. Every year roughly 2,400 people die needlessly from smoking in Northern Ireland, and there needs to be urgent action from the Executive to tackle this.5 

“With the election taking place next year, we would like to see a lasting legacy from this government and the Health Minister in the form of tough and ambitious action on smoking.  

“Time and time again, we are finding that the vast majority of people want to see a ban of smoking near schools and playgrounds as well as a date set for a smoke free Northern Ireland.”  

REFERENCE  

  1. Tobacco Control; Department of Health NI; Date Accessed 22 May. Tobacco control | Department of Health
  2. Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland commissioned Opinion Matters to survey 1,000 adults in Northern Ireland and nearly 7 in 10 (68.6%) want smoking outside the school gates to be prohibited. Combining those who said ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ to the following statement: Smoking at school gates should be banned.  
  3. Passive smoking; NHS Website; Date Accessed 22 May. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/passive-smoking-protect-your-family-and-friends
  4. Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland commissioned Opinion Matters to survey 1,000 adults in Northern Ireland and more than 6 in 10 (62.4%) agreed that NI should set a smoke free target. Combining those who said ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ to the following statement: NI should come into line with the rest of the British Isles by setting a smoke free target.
  5. Smoking; NI Direct government services; Date Accessed 22 May. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/smoking

Methodology:  

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 1,000 Adults aged 16 + in Northern Ireland. The data was collected between 19.12.25 - 06.01.26. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.