A demonstration study of cooperative action learning to understand and address smoking in deprived communities within the cost-of-living crisis
The study, led by Dr Lucia D'Ambruoso in collaboration with Turning Point Scotland and NHS Grampian, focused on understanding and addressing smoking-related health inequalities in disadvantaged communities in rural northeast Scotland, during the UK cost-of-living crisis.
Using Participatory Action Research (PAR), the team engaged community members in a series of workshops, where they worked as co-researchers to gather and analyse data. Subsequent workshops with service providers helped interpret these data and reflect on local action. Community partners identified increased stress from the cost-of-living crisis together with wider availability and acceptability of tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes, as key issues. The situation was compounded by lack of awareness of available cessation services.
A shared action plan with the health authority was developed, prioritising stress-related causes of smoking, improved access to cessation support, and incentivised cessation with locally tailored messaging. The study highlighted the importance of community involvement, providing a more comprehensive understanding of health challenges and demonstrating that existing services can be improved by integrating community insights, thereby supporting policy commitments to community health initiatives.
Read the publication: D’Ambruoso L, Stephen A, Cowan E, Innocent W, Marathia E, Littlejohn C, Duffy S. Cost of Living/Cost of Smoking: A Demonstration Study of Cooperative Action Learning to Understand and Address Smoking in Deprived Communities Within the Cost‐of‐Living Crisis - D'Ambruoso - Social Policy & Administration - Wiley Online Library