Ethnic minority stop smoking pilot project

Author and presenter:
Jamila Khatoon
Health Improvement senior, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK

Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that culturally adapted,targeted smoking cessation interventions are more effective for minority ethnic population.

Aim: To investigate the barriers to stop smoking services and to raise tobacco awareness among ethnic minority communities.

Current Status:

• Five outreach workers were recruited from Chinese and South Asian communities and trained.
• 350 places visited and information distributed regarding stop smoking services by trained outreach workers.
• 200 smokers contacted and 188 completed the questionnaire
• Tobacco brief advice carried out with all the smokers.
• Training for religious leaders to raise awareness regarding tobacco and to promote available stop smoking services was developed and conducted for five Muslim religious leaders (Imams of the
  mosques).
• Development day arranged for religious/community leaders, which was very successful and resulted in winning the support from local councellor and religious leaders. More than 60 people from different back grounds attended it.
• More than 40 referrals have been made so far to the mainstream stop smoking service with successful quits by 10 smokers.
• External evaluator has been hired to evaluate the project.
• The evaluation report will be available by July 2010.

Source of funding: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Declaration of interest: none