A qualitative study about smoking cessation with clients of community service organisations that work with disadvantaged families.

ISSUE ADDRESSED

To determine whether clients of community service organisations (CSOs) that work with disadvantaged families consider the organisation to be a suitable avenue for the delivery of smoking cessation assistance, and to explore clients' knowledge and attitudes on smoking, and barriers to quitting.

METHODS

Seven focus groups were undertaken with clients from CSOs that work with disadvantaged families. Participants were asked questions on effects of smoking on health, barriers to quitting smoking and whether CSOs could provide smoking cessation support. Note-based analysis was undertaken to identify issues.

RESULTS

Participants view CSOs as an acceptable avenue to provide support to quit smoking. Participants had misconceptions about the effects of smoking on health and the desire to quit smoking was not a priority among many participants.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for smoking cessation support to be integrated into CSOs for disadvantaged families as clients are unlikely to seek support elsewhere.