Health disparities in society
Smoking is one of the leading causes of health inequities. People with low education benefit much less from smoking cessation policies and measures. They have more difficulty getting off smoking and experience greater health consequences from smoking. While everyone in the Netherlands has the right to a long and happy life, not everyone has equal opportunities.
A smoke-free life for all
The impact of smoking
In the program Smoke-free Living for All works Muzus with a social design approach in two neighborhoods in Hilversum and Harderwijk. Together with neighborhood residents, we are working to improve access to smoking cessation care. We do this together with Pharos, the GGD, social and healthcare professionals, key people and experts by experience. In the program, dozens of neighborhoods throughout the Netherlands are working with this neighborhood approach.
The learning lessons from Hilversum and Harderwijk are shared within the program with the goal of a smoke-free world for everyone.
How do you enter the conversation?
The talking point
Talking about (co-)smoking is often difficult.While 80% of people who smoke want to stop. Within this project, we have investigated how you can start the conversation about smoking in an accessible way.
As our first tangible intervention, we worked with Pharos to design the talking toy.The talking toy triggers a conversation about smoking. About the desire to quit. Expressing that desire is the first step to actually quitting. The talking points as now used in the districts are gemanufactured by artist Emmeke Eijsbouts. The cigarette butt was developed from an idea by Lot Broos, who was looking for extra support while quitting. Together with her mother, once an inveterate smoker as well, she made the cuddly toy to embrace in times of need.
Framing the conversation more broadly
Mutual trust
We look more broadly at what is needed. We involve people themselves. What needs to happen in their lives to make the step to a smoke-free life. What are they running into? The location where you have this conversation is also important. Where do you feel comfortable? This could be at the sports club, for example. In the schoolyard or at the community center.
In addition to the Praatpeuk, other interventions have therefore been developed to support social workers in neighborhoods. For example, the “magnet board” encourages conversation about positive health with residents. It works to frame the conversation more broadly. This creates mutual trust to enter the conversation without judgment.
Tobacco addiction myths in focus
Photo series
‘If you set a good example, soon no one will set the wrong example’
Six images deal with different topics that have a sense of shame, powerlessness or misunderstanding attached to them. Each image illustrates how the addictive cigarette is actually an obstacle to your freedom. It shows the squeeze you are stuck in.
Still, the series is hopeful. That is essential if you want to encourage conversations about quitting smoking. Pharos and Wanda de Kanter, chair of smoking prevention for youth, therefore wrote accompanying titles and texts with a positive approach, according to motivational interviewing. The images are used to initiate a conversation about smoking.
Photographer Sas Schilten captured the residents without frills.
Stimulate with conversation
The chat disk
After extensive interviews with both residents and experts, it appears that for many people quitting smoking is a challenge that requires ongoing support. This is why our neighborhood team will be hitting the streets in the coming months with the “chat disk.
The chatter disc is a useful tool for having a conversation about smoking. Several areas of knowledge come together in the disk. Knowledge of how to have a motivational conversation. Knowledge of addiction treatment. Coaching. And personal experiences. So all members of the neighborhood team can have successful conversations with residents.
We believe that with personal interactions we can take the first steps toward a smoke-free life.
