Who we are
About us
ommunities Against Woodsmoke is a grassroots volunteer-led campaign group that seeks to educate and inform the public and politicians of the health and environmental harm caused by woodsmoke in Scotland. We campaign in Scotland for better legislation around wood burning in all it’s forms because we believe everyone should have the right to breathe clean air.
Get in touch
Why we formed
The rise in popularity of wood burning stoves, firepits and chimineas has risen exponentially in the past 10 years in the UK. Sales and the use of other wood burning appliances such as wood burning pizza ovens, wood burning jacuzzis and wood burning saunas are accelerating. It’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing down, is unregulated and it is causing a health and environmental crisis.
All of our members are suffering from health problems caused by wood smoke.
The Scottish Government, alongside it's public health and environment agencies should deliver a national awareness raising campaign on the health harming effects of wood burning stoves, fire pits and wood burning saunas and jacuzzis including the harm from burning dry seasoned wood.
Clear labelling of the health harming effects of wood burning stoves/chimineas and firepits at point of sale so that consumers can make a fully informed decision before they purchase a wood burning stove/chiminea/firepit
Planning permission must be sought from a Local Authority by any person or business wishing to install a wood burning stove and flue in any building and each Local Authority is legally obliged to inform neighbouring households of the health impacts of having a wood burning stove in use nearby as part of this planning permission process.
Phase out the sale and use of all wood burning stoves by 2030 in all homes and buildings where an alternative source of heat is available. A ban on the sale and use of wood burning jacuzzis and wood burning saunas.
Our Mission
We want to hear from you. We’re looking for stories from people who are affected by wood smoke in their area whether that be from a neighbour’s wood burning stove or open fire, glamping pods with firepits that are in use regularly, wood burning jacuzzis or wood burning saunas in use at Air B&B properties near you. If you’re being affected by wood smoke, then we’d like to hear from you.
Please contact us at communitiesagainstwoodsmoke@gmail.com and tell us your story.