The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The Young People and Smoking Cessation Pilot Programme (Scotland) was a national pilot project undertaken in partnership by NHS Health Scotland and ASH Scotland. It ran from April 2002 until July 2005. The programme sought to establish a number of pilot projects in different settings throughout Scotland. It aimed to evaluate the services to determine feasibility, ascertain the effectiveness of the different interventions, and draft guidelines for the development of youth smoking cessation services in Scotland.

Methods: The pilot projects targeted young people from lower socio-economic groups aged between 11-24 years identifying themselves as smokers wishing to quit. They were placed where workers engage with young people such as community settings, hospitals and colleges. The cessation services were then set up with the full involvement of young people and evaluated for effectiveness.

Results: The Research Unit for Behaviour Change, based in Edinburgh, undertook the external evaluation of this pilot programme on behalf of NHS Health Scotland. A final report is due to be delivered in March 2006. However, this presentation will complement the report to communicate Health Scotland's experience of project management issues relating to the pilot projects.

It will summarize the issues identified by the projects relating to what young people want from a smoking cessation service. Early Indications show that young people wish a service which is confidential; encourages involvement; listens to young people's views; is safe, friendly, accessible, and non judgmental; is flexible in terms of location and times, and offers peer support, NRT and alternative therapies.