The Acceptability of a Tobacco Dependency Treatment for NHS Staff in the North East of England: A Mixed-Methods Study

Caitlin Louise Thompson (), Kerry Brennan-Tovey, Caitlin Robinson, Rachel McIlvenna, Eileen F. S. Kaner, Sheena E. Ramsay and Maria Raisa Jessica Aquino
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Caitlin Louise Thompson: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Kerry Brennan-Tovey: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Caitlin Robinson: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead NE9 6SX, UK
Rachel McIlvenna: North East North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Darlington DL3 6HX, UK
Eileen F. S. Kaner: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Sheena E. Ramsay: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
Maria Raisa Jessica Aquino: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Aims: High smoking rates and deprivation levels in the North East of England have led to an opportunity to pilot a tobacco dependency treatment offer for NHS (National Health Service) staff who smoke, to make a supported quit attempt. The direct and indirect benefits to staff, patients, and NHS organisations are well documented. This study aimed to evaluate service acceptability. Methods: The service included up to 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and/or a refillable e-cigarette, motivational support, and premium access to the Smoke-Free app. The service evaluation used a mixed-methods design, combining the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with staff who had accessed the offer. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data via thematic analysis. Results: Sixty-eight survey responses reflected high acceptability and revealed four themes relating to the service familiarity and ease of access, suitability of the NRT/E-liquid ordering service, the vape kit, and behavioural support. Conclusions: The service was deemed highly acceptable, and service users’ experiences informed recommendations for improving future tobacco dependency services. This is the first known application of the TFA to an evaluation of a smoking cessation intervention, and it contributes to a broader body of research on reducing tobacco dependency.

Keywords: smoking cessation; healthcare services; tobacco dependency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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