Abstract / Summary
Background: Financial incentives can substantially increase effectiveness of smoking cessation support for pregnant women, their partners, people planning a pregnancy, and parents, yet implementation in routine care remains limited. This study explored how incentives could be implemented within a national cessation programme through collaboration with key stakeholders.
Methods: A Policy Lab approach was used to collaboratively identify barriers, opportunities, and policy directions for implementation. Two interactive sessions were held in autumn 2024 with representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Health, the National Health Care Institute, health insurers, researchers, healthcare professionals, a smoking cessation support provider, and a parent. Transcripts and exercise outputs were thematically analysed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). As part of the policy lab process, we developed a policy brief, infographic, and explainer video.
Results: Key challenges included limited public and political support, legal and financial barriers, and logistical and design-related issues. Participants recommended clear messaging on health and societal benefits; initiating pilot projects and providing clear insight into the costs, benefits, and timing of returns; and integrating incentives into existing cessation programme structures with accessible and feasible design.
Conclusion: This study provides practical guidance for policymakers and health insurers to integrate financial incentives into smoking cessation support for (expectant) parents, while offering transferable insights for implementation in other settings.
Patient or public contribution: A parent with lived experience of receiving smoking cessation support with incentives participated in the Policy Lab. In addition, healthcare professionals, smoking cessation programme providers, health insurers, and representatives from public bodies contributed perspectives grounded in their roles representing patient and public interests. These inputs informed the development of recommendations and dissemination materials, including the policy brief and explainer video, to enhance relevance, accessibility, and public acceptability.