Dr Rachel O'Donnell

Associate Professor

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

Dr Rachel O'Donnell

Contact details

About me

I am an Associate Professor at the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at the University of Stirling, specialising in qualitative research. My current areas of research interest include the design and delivery of interventions to support families to create a smoke-free home, alcohol licensing and availability, and no- and low-alcohol products. I am ISMH's public involvement lead, actively working in partnership with members of the public to plan, manage, design and input to research projects we conduct, to maximise relevance to end users and increase research impact.

I currently lead a CSO funded pilot RCT exploring the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to create smoke-free homes. I also co-lead the Smoke-free Homes International Network (SHINE) - an initiative aimed to foster multidisciplinary collaborations on future smoke-free homes research, policy and practice internationally.

I am a Senior Editor for the International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, the official journal of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol (KBS).

My current research focuses on the development of intervention methods to encourage behaviour change aimed at creating a smoke-free home. I have been involved in interventions utilising a) various forms of personalised air quality feedback; b) a theory-driven approach incorporating intervention mapping; and c) the use of nicotine replacement therapy for use instead of smoking indoors. I am also interested in the use of empowering approaches to health behaviour change which, in the context of creating a smoke-free home, recognise the stigma and guilt often experienced by smoking parents. I am a qualitative researcher and I have a longstanding interest in developing and conducting research working with disadvantaged, vulnerable populations.  I am also interested in gender-based approaches to health behaviour change, which acknowledge the role that gender plays in creating and maintaining change.

Research projects (4)

Evaluating the Impact of Increasing the Availability of No/Lo Alcohol Products
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

Prevention Research Network (formerly Community of Practice)
PI: Professor Niamh Fitzgerald
Funded by: Medical Research Council
–

Independent Review of the Alcohol Premises Licensing System in Northern Ireland
PI: Dr James Nicholls
Funded by: Northern Ireland Executive
–

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

Outputs (67)

Article

Use of nicotine replacement therapy to create a smoke-free home: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of a smoke-free home intervention in Scotland

O’Donnell R, Howell R, Henderson T, Sinclair L, Mather K, McMeekin N & Semple S (2025) Use of nicotine replacement therapy to create a smoke-free home: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of a smoke-free home intervention in Scotland. BMJ Open, 15, p. e107161. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-107161

Article

Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions and barriers related to implementing smoke-free home practices in two rural settlement areas in Malaysia

Kamni SNA, Saiful Bahron NAN, Zulkifli A, Uny I, O’Donnell R, Suryo Prabandari Y, Suryo Bintoro B, Zainal Abidin E & Semple S (2024) Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions and barriers related to implementing smoke-free home practices in two rural settlement areas in Malaysia. Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 10. https://doi.org/10.18332/tpc/195460

Article

“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

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

Article

Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: ‘Sweetspot’ policy options

Fitzgerald N, O'Donnell R, Uny I, Martin JG, Cook M, Graham K, Stockwell T, Hughes K, Wilkinson C, McGill E, Miller PG, Reynolds J, Quigg Z & Angus C (2024) Reducing alcohol harms whilst minimising impact on hospitality businesses: ‘Sweetspot’ policy options. International Journal of Drug Policy, 129 (July 2024), Art. No.: 104465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104465

Editorial

Supporting migrant groups to reduce tobacco-related harms and create smoke-free family environments: Future priorities and research gaps

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

Article

Factors influencing public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland including legal and structural differences: comparative interview analysis

Fitzgerald N, Mohan A, Purves R, O’Donnell R, Egan M, Nicholls J, Maani N, Smolar M, Fraser A, Briton T & Mahon L (2024) Factors influencing public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland including legal and structural differences: comparative interview analysis. Public Health Research. https://doi.org/10.3310/BGTR4277

Article

Use of nicotine replacement therapy to reduce children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in the home: a qualitative pilot study involving local community pharmacies

Howell R, McBurney S, Di Tano G, Boags A, Rowa-Dewar N, Dobson R & O’Donnell R (2023) Use of nicotine replacement therapy to reduce children’s exposure to second-hand smoke in the home: a qualitative pilot study involving local community pharmacies. BMC Public Health, 23, Art. No.: 2545. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17488-5

Research Report

Improving our understanding of e-cigarette and refill packaging in the UK: How is it used for product promotion and perceived by consumers, to what extent does it comply with product regulations, and could it be used to better protect consumers?

Moodie C, Jones D, Angus K, MacKintosh AM, Ford A, O’Donnell R, Hunt K, Mitchell D, Alexandrou G, Stead M, Neve K, Champion T, Froguel A & Davies A (2023) Improving our understanding of e-cigarette and refill packaging in the UK: How is it used for product promotion and perceived by consumers, to what extent does it comply with product regulations, and could it be used to better protect consumers?. Cancer Research UK. London. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/moodie_et_al._2023_improving_our_understanding_of_e-cigarette_and_refill_packaging_in_the_uk.pdf

Conference Paper (published)

Later opening hours for alcohol licensed premises in Scotland amidst economic and social instability: local stakeholder experiences based on semi-structured interviews

Mitchell G, O'Donnell R, Cook M, Uny I, Maxwell K, Emslie C & Fitzgerald N Later opening hours for alcohol licensed premises in Scotland amidst economic and social instability: local stakeholder experiences based on semi-structured interviews. In: , Johannesburg, South Africa, 05.06.2023-08.06.2023. 48th Annual Alcohol Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society.

Article

Mechanisms of impact of alcohol availability interventions from the perspective of 63 diverse alcohol licensing stakeholders: a qualitative interview study

O'Donnell R, Mohan A, Purves R, Maani N, Angus C, Egan M & Fitzgerald N (2023) Mechanisms of impact of alcohol availability interventions from the perspective of 63 diverse alcohol licensing stakeholders: a qualitative interview study. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2023.2205991

Article

Measurement of airborne nicotine, as a marker of secondhand smoke exposure, in homes with residents who smoke in 9 European countries

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

Article

Impact of public health team engagement in alcohol licensing on health and crime outcomes in England and Scotland: A comparative timeseries study between 2012 and 2019

de Vocht F, McQuire C, Ferraro C, Williams P, Henney M, Angus C, Egan M, Mohan A, Purves R, Maani N, Shortt N, Mahon L, Crompton G, O'Donnell R, Nicholls J, Bauld L & Fitzgerald N (2022) Impact of public health team engagement in alcohol licensing on health and crime outcomes in England and Scotland: A comparative timeseries study between 2012 and 2019. The Lancet Regional Health Europe, 20, Art. No.: 100450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100450

Article

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

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

Secondhand smoke exposure assessment in outdoor hospitality venues across 11 European countries

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

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

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

Initial views and experiences of vaping in prisons: a qualitative study with people in custody preparing for the imminent implementation of Scotland's prison smokefree policy

Brown A, O'Donnell R, Eadie D, Purves R, Sweeting H, Ford A, Bauld L & Hunt K (2021) Initial views and experiences of vaping in prisons: a qualitative study with people in custody preparing for the imminent implementation of Scotland's prison smokefree policy. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 23 (3), pp. 543-549. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa088

Article

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

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

Secondhand smoke exposure and other signs of tobacco consumption at outdoor entrances of primary schools in 11 European countries

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

Supporting Parents Living in Disadvantaged Areas of Edinburgh to Create a Smoke-Free Home Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): A Two-Phase Qualitative Study

O’Donnell R, Lewis G, Lumsdaine C, Di Tano G, Swanston L, Amos G, Finnie A & Rowa-Dewar N (2020) Supporting Parents Living in Disadvantaged Areas of Edinburgh to Create a Smoke-Free Home Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): A Two-Phase Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (19), Art. No.: 7305. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197305

Conference Abstract

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

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

Measuring for change: A multi-centre pre-post trial of an air quality feedback intervention to promote smoke-free homes

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

Passive exposure of non-smokers to E-Cigarette aerosols: Sensory irritation, timing and association with volatile organic compounds

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

Tackling second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke and aerosols of electronic cigarettes: the TackSHS project protocol

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

Conference Paper (published)

A novel air quality feedback intervention trial using mHealth techniques across four European countries: the TackSHS Project Measuring for Change Study

Fernandez E, Dobson R, O’Donnell R, Semple S & Fu M (2019) A novel air quality feedback intervention trial using mHealth techniques across four European countries: the TackSHS Project Measuring for Change Study. In: Behrakis P (ed.) 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

Poster

Developing a harm reduction approach to protect disadvantaged children from second-hand smoke: A qualitative study with parents and practitioners.

O'Donnell R, Rowa-Dewar N, Lumsdaine C, Di Tano G, Swanston L & Lewis G (2019) Developing a harm reduction approach to protect disadvantaged children from second-hand smoke: A qualitative study with parents and practitioners.. 6th World Social Marketing Conference, Edinburgh, UK, 04.06.2019-05.06.2019. https://wsmconference.com/edinburgh-2019/programme

Article

How do policy advisors and practitioners prioritise the protection of children from secondhand smoke exposure in a country with advanced tobacco control policy?

Ritchie D, Amos A, Shaw A, O'Donnell R, Semple S, Turner S & Martin C (2015) How do policy advisors and practitioners prioritise the protection of children from secondhand smoke exposure in a country with advanced tobacco control policy?. Tobacco Control, 24 (1), pp. 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050936

Article

Creating smoke-free homes for children

Shaw A, Ritchie D, O'Donnell R, Amos A, Mills L, Semple S, Turner S & Wilson I (2013) Creating smoke-free homes for children. Nursing Times, 109 (10), pp. 28-30. https://www.nursingtimes.net/clinical-archive/smoking-cessation/creating-smoke-free-homes-for-children/5055895.article

Teaching

I contribute to teaching on the University of Stirling Masters in Public Health. I have also developed and delivered online training on qualitative research methods for a number of international research projects based at the University of Stirling, and I have previously taught on the Qualitative Research Methods module of the Masters In Public Health at the University of Edinburgh.

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes