Protecting Children from secondhand smoke - a tool to promote quitting? Using the Take 7 Steps Out approach
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Author(s)
Andrea Crossfield, Pippa Sargent and Vicky Mills
Presenter(s)
Tina Williams Head of Training and Development, Smokefree North West, Manchester
Abstract
Smokefree North West, a collaborative region-wide tobacco control programme, has initiated a whole system approach to reduce harm to children and young people resulting from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Drawing on substantial insight, the Take 7 Steps Out campaign was developed in 2010. Messages needed to be clear, promote simple actions and show the physical distance needed to protect children.
Alongside media activity including a TV advertisement, stakeholder engagement, a brief intervention guide and information for Healthcare Professionals were also developed. Local ‘road shows’ engaged the public directly.
Evaluation showed that the campaign reached 79% of the target audience. Almost two thirds said the campaign made them want to step outside to smoke and 19% did then take 7 steps out. Interestingly, 44% said the campaign made them cut down smoking while 6% reported making a quit attempt – action that, in savings to the NHS, would more than recoup the costs of this initial campaign.
Building on this success, and a second phase of the campaign, the approach is currently developing interactive tools for delivery in children’s centres.
Opportunities for shared learning are considerable. We offer insight from this whole system approach and invite colleagues to consider any similar practise.
Source of funding: Take 7 Steps Out was developed and delivered by the Smokefree North West collaborative tobacco control programme, operating on behalf of the North West’s Directors of Public Health and funded by the NHS in the region.
