The Smoke Free Homes challenge, adapted from earlier UK and Irish models, was introduced in Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) to encourage households to create smoke-free homes and cars. Over a one-month period, the initiative aimed to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and support smokers in taking a positive step towards quitting. Implemented in an area marked by diverse communities and high levels of deprivation, including unemployment, lower educational attainment, and significant health inequalities, the challenge addressed a pressing public health concern in a community with persistently high smoking rates.
The project aimed to promote smoke-free environments, particularly in homes with children, by raising awareness of the risks associated with indoor smoking and vaping. Families were encouraged to make public pledges and take practical steps to protect household members from second-hand smoke. The campaign centred on two key components:
- Poster Competition: Working with the HSE, local schools, and community partners, children were invited to design posters depicting a ‘Smoke Free Home’. Winning entries were featured in campaign materials, adding a creative and engaging visual element.
- Smoke Free Homes Challenge: Households signed up to adopt between three and ten smoke-free actions over a four-week period. While a fully smoke-free home was encouraged, it was not required for participation. Weekly support packs, delivered by post or digitally, helped guide families through their commitments. The challenge concluded with a celebration event where participants were recognised, and prize vouchers were awarded.
Health Community Workers played a vital role in delivering the programme by supporting recruitment, maintaining household engagement, and distributing materials, with the wider community; including schools, parents, and health professionals, contributing to its implementation. Impact was assessed through participation metrics, sign-up data, feedback surveys, and post-challenge evaluations, with 300 entries in the 2025 poster competition and 104 households taking part in the Smoke Free Homes Challenge. The 2025 campaign showed increased participation and stronger household engagement compared with 2024, with families emphasising the importance of school involvement and describing the challenge as a practical, supportive step toward creating healthier home environments.
Participants reported greater awareness of second-hand smoke risks and felt more empowered to make positive changes, while schools found the poster competition an effective educational tool and health workers observed increased interest in smoking cessation supports. Designed for replication and scaling, the programme’s low-cost, community-driven structure supports long-term sustainability, with plans for 2026 including a digital sign-up option and expanded outreach through housing networks and social media to further strengthen engagement across the NEIC.