Receptiveness to smoking cessation training among community service organisation staff

Smoking rates among people experiencing disadvantage are significantly higher than for the general population. Community service organisations (CSOs) have been suggested as appropriate settings to address tobacco use among this subgroup. This study aimed to (a) assess CSO staff members' interest in receiving smoking cessation training, (b) explore the factors associated with interest and (c) identify preferred cessation support information formats.

An online survey was administered to CSO staff across Australia. Respondents were asked about the main groups targeted by their service, their role in the organisation and their interest in receiving smoking cessation training. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with receptiveness to smoking cessation training.

Of the 242 CSO staff members responding to the survey, 53% were interested in receiving training. Having more frequent contact with clients and working at an organisation supporting people with a mental illness were positively associated with being interested in undertaking training. Online resources were identified as a preferred form of information relating to cessation support provision.

CSO staff who have frequent contact with clients may be receptive to training that would enable them to provide smoking cessation support to people experiencing disadvantage. SO WHAT?: CSOs represent an important setting for smoking cessation interventions given their existing relationship with people who have high smoking rates and the apparent receptiveness of CSO staff to participate in such initiatives.