Professor Sean Semple

Professor

Institute for Social Marketing University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Professor Sean Semple

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About me

Sean joined the Institute of Social Marketing in January 2018 after 20 years working at the University of Aberdeen. He is interested in human exposure science with particular emphasis on the health effects of indoor air pollution, tobacco control research, and occupational epidemiology. His translational research work is focused on air quality measurement and interventions relating to second-hand smoke, biomass fuel smoke and workplace inhalation hazards.  

Research (13)

Sean is the author of over 150 research publications cited over 4600 times, and editor of text-book ‘Monitoring Health Hazards at Work’ (translated in to Chinese, 2012).

He is/has recently been chief investigator or co-investigator on research projects from the MRC, European Commission (H2020), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and the Chief Scientist’s Office (Scotland). Sean's recent research program has had a significant impact on public health policy to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in Scotland. He was chief Investigator of the BHETSE study which was seminal in examining how Scotland’s smoke-free law impacted on air quality and workers’ health. This work was adapted for use in England and Wales, used as an international example of how to examine the effects of legislation designed to improve public health, and is now cited in MRC guidance for the evaluation of natural experiments. He serves on the Scottish Government’s Research and Evaluation Working Group on Tobacco Control and worked closely with policy makers on a Parliamentary Member’s bill to prohibit smoking in cars carrying children. Research from his team was influential on the recent Scottish Government media campaign to reduce the number of children exposed to second-hand smoke at home by 50% by 2020. 

Sean has a wide range of international collaborations with academics, policy makers, public and third-sector organisations including: Action for Smoking & Health Scotland, the University of Edinburgh, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (where he is a visiting professor), Makerere University Uganda, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Imperial College London and NHS Lanarkshire.

Projects

COmmunities Facilitating incREasing Smoke-free Homes’ (CO-FRESH)
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: Medical Research Council

Clean the Air Better for Newborns (CABiN): Reducing Exposure to HAP During Pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa
PI:
Funded by: Academy of Medical Sciences

Non-communicable lung disease in Kenya: from burden and early life determinants to participatory inter-disciplinary solutions (Tupumue)
PI: Dr Heather Price
Funded by: Medical Research Council

From fuel to pot: an interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi.
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Council

Protecting those who care for us: domiciliary workers and exposure to second-hand smoke (stage 1)
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: The Colt Foundation

MyFamily MySmoke: Protecting my family from second-hand smoke: let’s get it right outside.
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: The British Council

Rapid Evaluation and Modelling of Changes in Personal Exposure to the Particulate Air Pollution (PM2.5) During the Response to the Covid-19 Epidemic in the United Kingdom
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Novel Workplace Interventions in Protecting Healthcare Workers from Virus Infection
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: Chief Scientist Office

Muslim Communities Learning About Second-hand Smoke in Bangladesh (MCLASS II): An effectiveness-implementation hybrid study
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: Medical Research Council

Evaluating Graduated Progress towards and Impacts of the Implementation of Indoor Smokefree prison facilities in Scotland
PI: Professor Kate Hunt
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research

Luli - Lung Health in Africa Across the Life Course
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: Medical Research Council

Tackling secondhand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette emissions: exposure assessment, novel interventions, impact on lung diseases and economic burden in diverse European populations.
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)

Developing interventions to encourage smoke-fee homes in Malaysia
PI: Professor Sean Semple
Funded by: The British Council

Outputs (217)

Outputs

Showing 100 of 217 — See all 217 outputs

Commentary

Uny I, Kambalame L, Price H, Caes L, Kalumbi LR, Semple S, Lucas S, Orina F, Chasima T, Chamba MVM & Meme H (2024) Beyond high-level recommendations and rule books: doing the ‘hard work’ of global health research – lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary global partnership. BMJ Global Health, 9, Art. No.: e015169. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015169


Article

O’Donnell R, Dobson R & Semple S (2024) “Why should care workers be any different from prison workers?” A qualitative study of second-hand smoke exposure during home-care visits and potential measures to eliminate exposure. Annals of Work Exposures and Health. https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxae069


Editorial

O’Donnell R, Tigova O, Teodorowski P, Villarroel-Williams N, Shevchuk A, Nesterova O, Arabska Y, Ylli A, Qirjako G, Fernández E & Semple S (2024) Supporting migrant groups to reduce tobacco-related harms and create smoke-free family environments: Future priorities and research gaps. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 22 (June). https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/189356


Other

Uny I, Chamba M, Chasima T, Caes L, Kalumbi L, Orina F, Kambalame L, Semple S, Price H, Lucas S & Meme H (2023) The Fuel to Pot Project: An interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi., Edinburgh, 13.11.2023. https://rse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RSE-AWG-scoping-project-report.pdf


Other

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S & Semple S (2023) OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution. Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts, 06.09.2023. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2023-ssmabstracts.13


Article

Meme H, Amukoye E, Bowyer C, Chakaya J, Das D, Dobson R, Dragosits U, Fuld J, Gray C, Hahn M, Kiplimo R, Lesosky M, Loh MM, Price H & Semple S (2023) Asthma symptoms, spirometry and air pollution exposure in schoolchildren in an informal settlement and an affluent area of Nairobi, Kenya. Thorax. https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax-2023-220057


Article

Henderson E, Rodriguez Guerrero LA, Continente X, Fernández E, Tigova O, Cortés-Francisco N, Semple S, Dobson R, Tzortzi A, Vyzikidou VK, Gorini G, Geshanova G, Mons U, Przewozniak K & O'Donnell R (2023) Measurement of airborne nicotine, as a marker of secondhand smoke exposure, in homes with residents who smoke in 9 European countries. Environmental Research, 219, Art. No.: 115118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.115118


Conference Paper (unpublished)

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S, Semple S & Orina F (2023) Preliminary findings from a photovoice study of community members’ choice, experiences and perceptions around fuel use and cooking practices in Mukuru (Kenya) and Ndirande (Malawi). The KASH Conference, Nairobi, kenya, 13.02.2023-16.02.2023. https://www.kemri.go.ke/kash-14/#1571270387975-4b3b4eea-d7ab


Article

Zulkifli A, Abd Rani NL, Abdul Mutalib RNS, Dobson R, Engku Ibrahim TA, Abd Latif NH, O’Donnell R, Uny I, Zainal Abidin E & Semple S (2022) Measuring secondhand smoke in homes in Malaysia: A feasibility study comparing indoor fine particulate (PM2.5) concentrations following an educational feedback intervention to create smoke-free homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 20, Art. No.: 64. https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/150338


Article

Nogueira SO, Fu M, Lugo A, Tigova O, Henderson E, López MJ, Clancy L, Semple S, Soriano JB, Fernandez E, Gallus S & the TackSHS Project Investigators (2022) Non-smokers' and smokers' support for smoke-free legislation in 14 indoor and outdoor settings across 12 European countries. Environmental Research, 204 (Part C), Art. No.: 112224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112224


Article

Keogan S, Alonso T, Sunday S, Tigova O, Fernández E, López MJ, Gallus S, Semple S, Tzortzi A, Boffi R, Gorini G, López-Nicolás Á, Radu-Loghin C, Soriano JB & Clancy L (2021) Lung function changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma exposed to secondhand smoke in outdoor areas. Journal of Asthma, 58 (9), pp. 1169-1175. https://doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2020.1766062


Article

Mdege ND, Fairhurst C, Wang H, Ferdous T, Marshall A, Hewitt C, Huque R, Jackson C, Kellar I, Parrott S, Semple S, Sheikh A, Wu Q, Al Azdi Z & Siddiqi K (2021) Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a community-based smoke-free-home intervention with or without indoor-air-quality feedback in Bangladesh (MCLASS II): a three-arm, cluster-randomised, controlled trial. Lancet Global Health, 9 (5), pp. E639-E650. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X%2821%2900040-1


Article

Amalia B, Fu M, Tigova O, Ballbè M, Castellano Y, Semple S, Clancy L, Vardavas C, López MJ, Cortés N, Pérez-Ortuño R, Pascual JA & Fernández E (2021) Environmental and individual exposure to secondhand aerosol of electronic cigarettes in confined spaces: Results from the TackSHS Project. Indoor Air, 31 (5), pp. 1601-1613. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12841


Article

Henderson E, Continente X, Fernández E, Tigova O, Cortés-Francisco N, Gallus S, Lugo A, Semple S, Dobson R, Clancy L, Keogan S, Ruprecht A, Borgini A, Tzortzi A & O'Donnell R (2021) Secondhand smoke exposure assessment in outdoor hospitality venues across 11 European countries. Environmental Research, 200, Art. No.: 111355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111355


Article

Mackay DF, Turner SW, Semple SE, Dick S & Pell JP (2021) Associations between smoke-free vehicle legislation and childhood admissions to hospital for asthma in Scotland: an interrupted time-series analysis of whole-population data. Lancet Public Health, 6 (8), pp. E579-E586. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667%2821%2900129-8


Article

Carreras G, Lachi A, Cortini B, Gallus S, López MJ, Lopez-Nicolas A, Soriano JB, Fernandez E, Tigova O, Gorini G, Semple S, O'Donnell R & Dobson R (2021) Burden of disease from second-hand tobacco smoke exposure at home among adults from European Union countries in 2017: an analysis using a review of recent meta-analyses. Preventive Medicine, 145, Art. No.: 106412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106412


Article

Borgini A, Veronese C, De Marco C, Boffi R, Tittarelli A, Bertoldi M, Fernández E, Tigova O, Gallus S, Lugo A, Gorini G, Carreras G, Lopez MJ, Semple S & Dobson R (2021) Particulate matter in aerosols produced by two last generation electronic cigarettes: a comparison in a real-world environment. Pulmonology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pulmoe.2021.03.005


Article

Amalia B, Rodríguez A, Henderson E, Fu M, Continente X, Tigova O, Semple S, Clancy L, Gallus S, Fernández E, López MJ & the TackSHS Project Investigators (2021) How widespread is electronic cigarette use in outdoor settings? A field check from the TackSHS project in 11 European countries. Environmental Research, 193, Art. No.: 110571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110571


Article

Amalia B, Liu X, Lugo A, Fu M, Odone A, van den Brandt PA, Semple S, Clancy L, Soriano JB, Fernández E & Gallus S (2021) Exposure to secondhand aerosol of electronic cigarettes in indoor settings in 12 European countries: data from the TackSHS survey. Tobacco Control, 30 (1), pp. 49-56. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055376


Article

Demou E, Dobson R, Sweeting H, Brown A, Sidwell S, O'Donnell R, Hunt K & Semple S (2020) From smoking-permitted to smokefree prisons: a 3-year evaluation of the changes in occupational exposure to second-hand smoke across a national prison system. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 64 (9), pp. 959-969. https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxaa073


Article

Henderson E, Continente X, Fernández E, Tigova O, Cortés-Francisco N, Gallus S, Lugo A, Semple S, O'Donnell R, Clancy L, Keogan S, Ruprecht A, Borgini A, Tzortzi A & Dobson R (2020) Secondhand smoke exposure and other signs of tobacco consumption at outdoor entrances of primary schools in 11 European countries. Science of the Total Environment, 743, Art. No.: 140743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140743


Article

Awokola BI, Okello G, Mortimer KJ, Jewell CP, Erhart A & Semple S (2020) Measuring air quality for advocacy in Africa (MA3): Feasibility and practicality of longitudinal ambient PM2.5 measurement using low-cost sensors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (9), Art. No.: 7243. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197243


Article

Turner S, Mackay D, Dick S, Semple S & Pell JP (2020) Associations between a smoke-free homes intervention and childhood admissions to hospital in Scotland: an interrupted time-series analysis of whole-population data. Lancet Public Health, 5 (9), pp. e493-e500. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667%2820%2930178-X


Article

Mortimer K, Lesosky M, Semple S, Malava J, Katundu C, Crampin A, Wang D, Weston W, Pope D, Havens D, Gordon SB & Balmes J (2020) Pneumonia and exposure to household air pollution in children under the age of 5 years in rural Malawi findings from the Cooking And Pneumonia Study. Chest, 158 (2), pp. 501-511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.064


Conference Abstract

Semple S, Demou E, Dobson R, Sweeting H, Sidwell S, Brown A, O’Donnell R & Hunt K (2020) OP18 From smoking-permitted to smokefree prisons: a 3-year evaluation of the changes in occupational exposure to second-hand smoke across a national prison system. Society for Social Medicine and Population Health Annual Scientific Meeting 2020, Hosted online by the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health and University of Cambridge Public Health, 9–11 September 2020. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 74 (Supplement 1). https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2020-ssmabstracts.18


Article

Dobson R, O'Donnell R, Tigova O, Fu M, Enríquez M, Fernandez E, Carreras G, Gorini G, Verdi S, Borgini A, Tittarelli A, Veronese C, Ruprecht A, Vyzikidou V, Tzortzi A, Vardavas C & Semple S (2020) Measuring for change: A multi-centre pre-post trial of an air quality feedback intervention to promote smoke-free homes. Environment International, 140, Art. No.: 105738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105738


Article

Tzortzi A, Teloniatis S, Matiampa G, Bakelas G, Tzavara C, Vyzikidou VK, Vardavas C, Behrakis P, Fernandez E, Semple S, O'Donnell R & Dobson R (2020) Passive exposure of non-smokers to E-Cigarette aerosols: Sensory irritation, timing and association with volatile organic compounds. Environmental Research, 182, Art. No.: 108963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.108963


Article

Fernández E, López MJ, Gallus S, Semple S, Clancy L, Behrakis P, Ruprecht A, Gorini G, López-Nicolás Á, Radu-Loghin C, Soriano JB, Castellano Y, Fu M, O'Donnell R & Dobson R (2020) Tackling second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke and aerosols of electronic cigarettes: the TackSHS project protocol [Abordando la exposición a las emisiones del tabaco y de los cigarrillos electrónicos: protocolo del proyecto TackSHS]. Gaceta Sanitaria, 34 (1), pp. 77-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2019.07.002


Article

Nafees AA, De Matteis S, Kadir MM, Burney P, Coggon D, Semple S & Cullinan P (2019) MultiTex RCT - a multifaceted intervention package for protection against cotton dust exposure among textile workers - a cluster randomized controlled trial in Pakistan: study protocol. Trials, 20, Art. No.: 722. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3743-3


Conference Paper (published)

Fernandez E, Dobson R, O’Donnell R, Semple S, Fu M & Investigators TP (2019) A novel air quality feedback intervention trial using mHealth techniques across four European countries: the TackSHS Project Measuring for Change Study. In: 4th ENSP-SRP International Conference on Tobacco Control 2019 Abstract Book. Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 5. 4th ENSP-SRP International Conference on Tobacco Control 2019, Bucharest, Romania, 27.03.2019-29.03.2019. Crete: European Publishing, p. 34. https://doi.org/10.18332/tpc/105282


Conference Abstract

Hunt K, Brown A, Semple S, Eadie D, Sweeting H, Demou E, Leyland A, Craig P, Dobson R & Bauld L (2019) OP88 Evaluating the move to, and implementation in 2018 of, smoke-free prison policy in scotland: the tobacco in prisons study (TIPS). Society for Social Medicine and Population Health and International Epidemiology Association European Congress Annual Scientific Meeting 2019, Hosted by the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health and International Epidemiology Association (IEA), School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, 4–6 September 2019, University College Cork. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 73 (Suppl 1), Art. No.: A44. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-ssmabstracts.92


Article

Mdege N, Fairhurst C, Ferdous T, Hewitt C, Huque R, Jackson C, Kellar I, Parrott S, Semple S, Sheikh A, Swami S & Siddiqi K (2019) Muslim Communities Learning about Second-hand Smoke in Bangladesh (MCLASS II): Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of a community-based smoke-free homes intervention, with or without Indoor Air Quality feedback. Trials, 20 (1), Art. No.: 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-3100-y


Article

Dobson R & Semple S (2018) "How do you know those particles are from cigarettes?": An algorithm to help differentiate second-hand tobacco smoke from background sources of household fine particulate matter. Environmental Research, 166, pp. 344-347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.06.019


Article

Quansah R, Semple S, Ochieng CA, Juvekar S, Armah FA, Luginah I, Luginah I & Emina J (2017) Effectiveness of interventions to reduce household air pollution and/or improve health in homes using solid fuel in low-and-middle income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environment International, 103, pp. 73-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.03.010


Article

Gaihre S, Kyle J, Semple S, Smith J, Subedi M & Marais D (2016) Type and extent of trans-disciplinary co-operation to improve food security, health and household environment in low and middle income countries: Systematic review. BMC Public Health, 16 (1), Art. No.: 1093. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3731-4


Article

Morgan H, Treasure E, Tabib M, Johnston M, Dunkley C, Ritchie D, Semple S & Turner S (2016) An interview study of pregnant women who were provided with indoor air quality measurements of second hand smoke to help them quit smoking. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16 (1), Art. No.: 305. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=&doi=10.1186%2fs12884-016-1062-1&partnerID=40&md5=b64b82732418b6c644111e8f18c040a5; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-1062-1


Article

Jackson-Morris A, Bleymann K, Lyall E, Aslam F, Bam TS, Chowdhury I, Daouda EA, Espinosa M, Romo J, Singh RJ & Semple S (2016) Low-cost air quality monitoring methods to assess compliance with smoke-free regulations: A multi-center study in six lowand middle-income countries. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 18 (5), pp. 1258-1264. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv290


Article

Paudyal P, Semple S, Gaihre S, Steiner MF, Niven R & Ayres JG (2015) Respiratory symptoms and cross-shift lung function in relation to cotton dust and endotoxin exposure in textile workers in Nepal: A cross-sectional study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72 (12), pp. 870-876. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102718


Article

Karakitsios S, Asikainen A, Garden C, Semple S, De Brouwere K, Galea K, Sanchez-Jimenez A, Gotti A, Jantunen M & Sarigiannis D (2015) Integrated exposure for risk assessment in indoor environments based on a review of concentration data on airborne chemical pollutants in domestic environments in Europe. Indoor and Built Environment, 24 (8), pp. 1110-1146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X14534865


Article

Mason HJ, Smith I, Anua SM, Tagiyeva N, Semple S & Devereux G (2015) Levels of house dust mite allergen in cars [Razine alergena prašinskih grinja u automobilima]. Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 66 (3), pp. 209-212. https://doi.org/10.1515/aiht-2015-66-2684


See all 217 outputs

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