Leading charity the Fostering Network believes that all fostering services should move towards a position where children and young people in care are only placed in smoke-free homes.
Raina Sheridan, deputy chief executive, the Fostering Network said:
"The issue of foster carers and smoking is clearly challenging in that foster carers are performing a public duty in their own homes, where children and young people should be kept safe and healthy.
"The Fostering Network advises that children should never be placed with a foster carer who smokes when they are under five, disabled or suffering from heart disease, glue ear or respiratory problems.
"However we acknowledge that expecting all foster carers who currently smoke to instantaneously give up is not realistic. Fostering agencies should work with current foster carers by helping them to give up or moderate their smoking and should actively recruit new foster carers who are non smokers or assist them to quit."
View the Fostering Network's policy on smoking.