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Can I foster if I smoke?

Smoking does not automatically prevent you from fostering, but it does affect which children you can be matched with. Here is what you need to know.

The short answer: It depends. Smoking households are not approved for children under five in most cases, and some agencies have stricter policies. If you smoke, you can still foster, but it will affect the age range you are considered for.

The national guidance on smoking and fostering

In England, the national guidance from the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) states that children under five should not normally be placed with carers who smoke in the home. This guidance is widely followed by agencies and local authorities.

The reason is straightforward. Passive smoking is a known health risk, particularly for young children, babies, and children with respiratory conditions. Agencies have a duty to protect the health of children in their care, and this guidance reflects that.

It is important to be clear: this applies to smoking in the home. It is not a blanket ban on all smokers fostering all children.

What this means in practice

If you smoke, you can still be approved as a foster carer in many cases. What changes is the matching process. You would not normally be considered for placements involving children under five, children with asthma or other respiratory conditions, or children from households where smoking was linked to their original safeguarding concerns.

For older children and teenagers, smoking in the household is a less significant factor, though agencies will still consider it as part of the overall assessment.

Worth knowing: Policies vary between agencies and local authorities. Some have stricter rules than the national guidance, and some may not approve smoking households for any age of child. It is always worth asking directly when you make initial enquiries.

Smoking outside the home

Some foster carers who smoke manage this by committing to smoke only outside the home, away from the child. This is an approach some agencies will accept, particularly for older children. The key is that the child is not exposed to smoke or smoking environments.

Agencies will want to understand your smoking habits honestly. How much you smoke, where you smoke, and how you would manage it around a child are all things they will want to discuss.

E-cigarettes and vaping

The guidance on vaping is less clear-cut than on traditional smoking, but most agencies treat e-cigarettes similarly. The health risks of passive vaping are less well established, but the caution around young children still applies. If you vape, raise it with the agency early and ask for their specific position on it.

What if you want to stop smoking?

Some applicants use the fostering assessment process as a prompt to stop smoking altogether. Agencies generally respond very positively to applicants who are actively trying to give up, particularly if there is a genuine commitment and some progress being made. It will not automatically clear all restrictions, but it demonstrates the kind of commitment that agencies look for.

If you are thinking about fostering and you smoke, it is worth starting the conversation with an agency now rather than waiting. They can tell you their specific policy and what options are open to you.

People also ask

QCan I foster a baby if I smoke?
No, in most cases. National guidance is clear that children under five should not normally be placed with households where someone smokes. Babies and very young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of passive smoking.
QCan I foster a teenager if I smoke?
This is more possible. Teenagers are generally not subject to the same restrictions as younger children where smoking is concerned. Agencies will still consider it, but it is less likely to be a preventing factor for older age groups.
QWhat if only my partner smokes?
The same guidelines apply. It is the household that is assessed, not just the primary carer. If anyone in the home smokes regularly, it is treated in the same way as if the applicant themselves smokes.
QCan I foster if I use a vape or e-cigarette?
Policies vary between agencies. Most apply similar caution to vaping as to smoking, particularly for younger children. It is worth raising this directly with any agency you are considering applying to.

The bottom line

Smoking does not rule out fostering completely, but it does narrow the range of children you would be considered for. If you smoke and you want to foster, the most useful thing you can do is speak directly to an agency and ask about their specific policy. Do not assume the answer is no until you have had that conversation.

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