Investigating Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Interventions in Financial Support Services

Supervisors: Dr Nicola Lindson; Dr Angela Difeng Wu

This project aims to investigate, refine and potentially develop new effective smoking cessation interventions tailored to the unique needs of people who use financial support services, for example, social housing, debt advice services, food banks etc. People who experience financial difficulty often face socio-economic and environmental challenges that impact their smoking behaviours and health outcomes. This project could include some of the following elements to address these challenges; however, other ideas and methodological approaches will be considered as appropriate:

• Systematic Review: Conducting a thorough review of existing literature to identify and evaluate smoking cessation strategies specific to financial support services. This will provide a foundational understanding of what has been tried and what gaps exist.
• Needs Assessments: Performing detailed assessments to gain insights into the smoking behaviours, motivations, and barriers faced by people using financial support services. This will ensure that interventions are grounded in the realities of the target population.
• Co-Design Development: Collaborating with financial support service users, community organisations, and experts to co-design intervention strategies. This participatory approach aims to create practical, culturally appropriate, and effective solutions.
• Experimental Online Surveys: Utilising experimental online surveys to explore financial support service users’ attitudes towards smoking and cessation. Insights gathered could be used to inform the development and refinement of targeted interventions.
• Intervention piloting to evaluate impact on smoking cessation rates, health and financial outcomes, providing actionable insights for future public health strategies.

Applicant background: Candidates should have a background in public health, psychology, social care, or a related field. Interest in smoking cessation and community-based research is necessary.