1. Introduction

2. Target selection, observations and data reduction
2.1. The TOUGH sample
2.2. Target selection
2.3. Observations
2.4. Data reduction
2.5. Subtraction of neighboring objects in the spectra

3. Results

4. Discussion and summary
4.1. Comparison with LBGs
4.2. The relation between afterglow spectral index and host Lyman α emission, and comparison with pre-Swift studies