Stove Industry Pressure Silences Councils Trying to Warn Public About Wood Burning Health Risks

Councils across England are facing legal threats from the stove industry for daring to warn residents about the health dangers of wood burning stoves, according to an investigation published by the British Medical Journal this week. The findings come as the UK government develops plans to introduce health labels for new stoves, similar to cigarette packaging warnings.

Freedom of Information requests by the BMJ examined 50 councils in England with the highest concentration of wood burning stoves. Just under a third reported being threatened with legal action or lobbied by the Stove Industry Association (SIA)—the trade body representing stove manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers—after launching public awareness campaigns about the harms of wood burning.

The pressure has been particularly intense in London. Eight London boroughs—Croydon, Haringey, Islington, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Southwark and Wandsworth—were threatened with legal action in late 2023 over a joint public awareness campaign highlighting the health risks of wood burning. Brighton and Hove City Council faced similar pressure after warning that wood burning is a “cosy killer” based on data showing dramatic increases in harmful air pollution during winter months. Other councils, including Oxford City Council and those in Dudley, Elmbridge and Rushmoor, have received promotional leaflets from the SIA claiming wood burning provides “health and wellbeing benefits.”

The legal threats have had a chilling effect on local authorities’ willingness to communicate evidence-based health messages. The London Wood Burning Project, a coalition of councils working on the issue, reported that the threatened councils expressed “a degree of worry about what happens if we are challenged even if we’re confident that the science backs up what we are saying.”

The core issue centres on fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5—particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or less that the World Health Organisation has classified as the most harmful air pollutant to human health. According to UK government data, domestic wood burning is a major source of these emissions. Wood burning accounts for around 50 per cent of PM2.5 released from fires in the home, with levels comparable to emissions from road transport.

These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, circulating to the heart, brain and other organs. A 2020 systematic review published in the Lancet Global Health linked indoor air pollution from domestic wood burning with heart and lung disease, lung cancer, strokes, stillbirth and asthma. More recent research from North America found that using fireplaces or wood stoves for more than 30 days a year was associated with a 68 per cent increase in lung cancer risk among non-smoking women.

Even modern “eco design” stoves—marketed as environmentally friendly—emit considerably more pollution than gas boilers or electric heating systems. Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, has repeatedly warned that an “enthusiasm for wood burners” in the UK is worsening indoor air pollution in urban areas.

One in 10 homes in England now own a wood burning stove, making this a significant public health issue affecting millions of households.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced plans to introduce stricter limits on newly purchased stoves and health labels for fuels as part of efforts to cut air pollution by a third by 2030. A Defra spokesperson stated: “Dirty air robs people of their health and costs our NHS millions each year,” highlighting the public health imperative behind the proposed measures.

However, the SIA disputes characterisations of wood burning as harmful. The association has argued that some council campaigns were “not balanced” and constituted “scaremongering.” An SIA spokesperson said: “That action was not to oppose public health objectives but to try to seek to ensure that the messaging used was fair and balanced.” The industry body has also challenged the scientific evidence underpinning health warnings, disputing findings from systematic reviews and suggesting that modern stoves pose minimal risk.

Jonathan Blades, head of policy at the charity Asthma + Lung, expressed concern about the industry’s tactics: “These actions by the stove industry clearly try to undermine public awareness of those risks, and that means people aren’t able to make informed decisions for their health.”

Laura Horsfall of the Institute of Health Informatics emphasised the need for clearer public communication: “Wood burning is often marketed as natural, cosy, or environmentally friendly. There’s also a need for greater awareness that even ‘eco design’ stoves are not pollution free.”

Key Takeaways

• Just under a third of 50 councils with the highest wood stove concentrations faced legal threats or lobbying from the Stove Industry Association
• Eight London boroughs were threatened with legal action in late 2023 for running a joint public health campaign
• Wood burning accounts for around 50 per cent of PM2.5 particles released from home fires, linked to cancer, heart disease and asthma
• The government is developing health warning labels for new stoves similar to cigarette packaging
• Legal pressure has discouraged some councils from communicating established health risks to residents

What This Means for Kent Residents

For people across Kent and Medway, this investigation highlights the importance of understanding the health impacts of wood burning stoves before installation. Air quality in urban areas including Medway and parts of Kent can be significantly affected by domestic heating choices. Residents concerned about air quality or existing health conditions should consult their GP or contact their local authority’s public health team for evidence-based guidance on home heating options. The Kent and Medway NHS Trust emphasises that indoor air quality plays an important role in respiratory health, particularly for those with asthma, COPD or cardiovascular conditions. If you’re considering heating methods for your home, discussion with your GP about individual health circumstances can help inform your decision.