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Quitlines and social exclusion in the UK and Europe
Ruth Bosworth
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Abstract
Social and economic influences play an important part in determining patterns of smoking prevalence and cessation. The past two decades have seen the increasing association of smoking with markers of social disadvantage. Tobacco use is now heavily concentrated amongst the unemployed, lone parents and those living on low incomes making a significant contribution to the widening gap in health inequalities across the EU.
This presentation will demonstrate how Quitlines are in a unique position in being able to offer smoking cessation support to the centre of socially disadvantaged communities. Confidential and anonymously accessed they eliminate many of the geographical, economical and social barriers to accessing support. Quitlines also have the capacity to go a stage further in identifying and targeting those groups who traditionally fail to access mainstream services. Examples provided will include The UK Asian and Arabic Quitlines. Culturally and linguistically sensitive services they reach the core of the target community. Other examples will include Sweden's Sluta Rota Lingen who have had a similarly positive experience in attracting ethnic minority smokers and STIVORO in the Netherlands whose targeted populations include low income smokers.
The presentation will also demonstrate how the European Network of Quitlines (of which QUIT UK is the lead agency) aims to further target geographical and socio-economic inequalities by providing support to European member states in particular the former accession countries trying to establish and develop quality Quitlines without having to "reinvent the wheel". This support is provided through a comprehensive pan European Training programme where Quitlines can come together to share best practice and experience in an environment of mutual support.
Biography
Ruth is Director of Services for the smoking cessation charity QUIT. QUIT was established in 1926 with the mission to significantly reduce unnecessary suffering and death from smoking related diseases by working towards a smoke free UK, and by providing practical help, advice and support to all smokers who want to stop.
Ruth is responsible for co-ordinating all facets of QUIT's extensive smoking cessation services. These provide national support to smokers via 12 pro-active telephone counselling lines and both on-line and community based services. Ruth also coordinates QUIT's youth programme, which is designed to help young people make informed choices about tobacco use and provides practical, tailored support and advice to those wanting to stop smoking.
With the aim of contributing to the delivery of national priorities in smoking cessation and public health, Ruth also works in partnership with a broad range of multi-sectoral and multi-professional agencies developing new programmes in the field of smoking intervention and prevention.
Ruth Bosworth
Director of Services
QUIT
211 Old Street
London
EC1V 9NR
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