In Buckinghamshire, smoking among routine and manual workers remains a significant public health concern, with one in five (21 per cent) of these individuals being smokers. Be Healthy Bucks has developed a targeted approach to support this group in their journey to quit smoking.
The journey to quit smoking
Suzanne* from Leighton Buzzard was one such worker, who has now decided to quit smoking for a healthier lifestyle.
Since joining the smoking cessation programme in April, she has had regular telephone consultations with a Stop Smoking Advisor and has taken part in the ‘swap to stop’ scheme – which sees people switch to vapes to help them on their stop smoking journey. Suzanne* has been using the Totally Wicked GTL Bundle, which included a variety of vape flavours in medium and low strengths.
Suzanne* just successfully hit her first goal – four weeks smoke-free.
She noted: “I still find the smell of cigarettes enticing, but the vape satisfies those cravings and really helps when I’m socialising around smokers. I’ve also noticed that I no longer have a cough, which is great!
“Having regular telephone support call has really helped me stay focused and on track to staying smoke-free. I feel really motivated to continue this journey and I’m already thinking about using a lower or zero nicotine vape liquid.”
Linda, her Stop Smoking Advisor, said: “I’m so proud of Suzanne’s* progress. She’s made some real strides towards a healthier lifestyle by achieving her first four-week quit goal. I am going to continue to support her on this journey – with the commitment that she’s shown so far, she’s really on her way to hitting her next eight-week smoke-free goal.”
Targeting and supporting routine or manual workers
Be Healthy Bucks has implemented specific strategies to reach and support routine or manual workers who are trying to quit smoking.
- Community-based action: By setting up stands in industrial estates, building companies, and stores like Wickes, the team engages directly with the target group in locations that they are frequently in.
- Collaboration with employers: The team have built relationships with workplaces such as Sainsbury’s to promote their services on intranet training pages. They have even visited staff smoking areas to find stores with a high number of smokers before engaging with managers directly to discuss the employer benefits of helping their employees quit smoking.
The ‘swap to stop’ scheme has also proven particularly effective with this group. The higher prevalence and less stigma associated with vaping among these workers make the offer of a free vape an attractive proposition. The scheme supports not only routine and manual workers but also those who are unemployed, resulting in a positive uptake.
The appeal of the programme
Besides the ‘swap to stop’ scheme, the programme’s appeal lies in its focus on financial savings and health benefits, presented in a less clinical and more accessible manner. Cost of living hits this group particularly hard and acts as a key motivator for them quitting.
The challenge remains in getting this group to accept the support, but once on the programme, the delivery and results are as effective as they are for any other group.
The experience of Suzanne* shows how a targeted approach, regular support, and schemes like ‘swap to stop’ are key to the success of quit smoking programmes for routine or manual workers.
*Fake name. The service user wished to remain anonymous.
