‘You Just Went In and You Got It All Sorted Straightaway’ – What is the Appeal of a Community-Based Mobile Stop Smoking Service?

Abstract

Introduction: Not enough smokers access existing stop smoking services (SSS). Developing more accessible and effective SSS is important, particularly for smokers from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups where smoking is more prevalent.Aims: To consider smokers’ reasons for accessing a community-based mobile SSS (MSSS) for initial and follow-up consultations, and to explore their experiences of the service over time.Methods: The MSSS was delivered in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Nottingham (UK). Thirty-six smokers were interviewed, and 11 of these also completed follow-up interviews four to six weeks after their quit date. Interviews were analysed using the framework approach.Results: Many participants had considered quitting before they had knowledge of the MSSS. Features of the MSSS participants found appealing for both initial and follow-up consultations included the drop-in format, convenient times and locations that fit around their existing routines, and that the service was informal and held in a non-health setting. Participants found visiting standard SSS, particularly clinics held in health settings, stressful and formal resulting in them feeling uncomfortable discussing smoking in these settings.Conclusions: Developing instantly accessible and convenient SSS that can be delivered in familiar and informal settings within smokers’ communities may facilitate access and help to retain service users over time.