BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Using a partnership approach, this Stop Smoking Pilot Programme was initiated between HSE Tobacco Free Ireland, HSE Social Inclusion, HSE Quit Mid West and Midwest Simon in 2024, with an aim to explore stop smoking strategies within homeless services. Traditionally, little or no support has been provided to this population group, due to many challenges including the transient nature of this population, as well as high rates of polydrug use and mental health diagnoses, with smoking often used as a coping mechanism.
The project focused on two sites, in the Mid-West of Ireland. A baseline survey was completed among residents and staff with the goal of assessing smoking behaviours, readiness and confidence to quit smoking, knowledge of stop smoking supports, and attitudes to tobacco free spaces.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Baseline surveys were completed by 8 staff and 23 residents. All residents who responded were male, while all staff who responded, were female.
70% of residents and 4% of staff were current smokers. 63% of residents expressed a desire to quit smoking but reported low confidence to quit. There was mixed response on providing smoke free spaces in the residences. Both staff and residents had low levels of knowledge of the stop smoking services available to them.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: Survey findings emphasise the need for a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to stop smoking support for this group with a focus on trauma-informed care and an individualized approach, using a tailored stop smoking programme and resources, given diverse preferences and needs.
CONCLUSIONS: The survey provided the project partners with a better understanding of the needs of this population group. Approaches to improving knowledge of and access to stop smoking supports need to be explored further.