Central and Eastern European region capacity building and social exclusion programme

Authors:
Steve Crone, Andrew Stripp and Kawaldip Sehmi

Presenters:
Andrew Stripp
Project Manager, European Network of Quitlines, QUIT/ENQ, London, UK

Kawaldip Sehmi
Director of Health and Inequalities, QUIT, London, UK

Abstract
Tobacco control, while remaining a shared function between the EC and member states, is disparate as far as MPOWER goes in protection from second-hand smoke, taxation and help to smokers to quit is concerned.

From 2008 – 2010, the European network of Quitlines (ENQ) conducted the Central and Eastern European Region (CEER) Capacity Building and Social Exclusion Programme in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The objective of the program was to address health inequalities by addressing social exclusion through capacity building and mentoring programmes with national Quitlines to improve reach and impact of Quitlines.

ENQ conducted workshops, meetings, one-to-one mentoring
sessions and consultancy work to support CEER stakeholders to
develop new services and social marketing strategies to engage
socially excluded groups.

Findings

 Knowledge and skills transfer from areas of ‘excellence’ in the
EU to emerging regions improves social capital and community
practice within smoking cessation and tobacco control groups
in member states

 Raising awareness of social exclusion and motivation to address
health inequalities in the member state’s public health and
smoking cessation infrastructure leads to development of
new Quitlines and services

 Capacity building improves Quitline’s reach and efficacy
in addressing social exclusion and health inequalities

Source of funding: Jointly funded by Pfizer Foundation and Pfizer

Declaration of interest: none