Background:
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Health consequences of tobacco smoking are higher in socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) populations, especially among women. The We Can Quit2 study was a pragmatic two-arm, pilot cluster randomized controlled trial of We Can Quit (WCQ), a community-based peer-led smoking cessation intervention for women living in disadvantaged areas in Ireland.

Objectives:
To explore feasibility and acceptability of trial processes including randomisation of districts, recruitment and data collection, in preparation for a definitive effectiveness trial.

Methods:
The trial was conducted in four matched pairs of districts in Dublin and Cork. Women were randomised to receive the WCQ intervention (group behavioural support over 12-weeks delivered by lay trained Community Facilitators and optional access to combination nicotine replacement therapy, without charge) or control (face-to-face individual smoking cessation service delivered by health professionals from Ireland's Health Service Executive, 6/7 sessions on average). The primary outcome was recruitment of eight districts and 194 women in four waves (49 women per wave). Secondary outcomes included retention (data completion) at 12-weeks and 6-months after treatment, and smoking abstinence (self-report + salivary cotinine).

Results:
Eight districts were recruited. 208 women registered in the study; 125/188 eligible women (66.5%) gave consent. The expected sample of 49 women was reached in Wave 4. Data completion rates were: [Intervention 36/65 (55.4%), Control 31/60 (51.7%)] at 12-weeks; [Intervention 31/65 (47.7%), Control 28/60 (46.7%)] at 6-months. More participants with secondary or higher education completed data at 12 weeks than those with no formal or lower education. Twenty-three participants were abstinent at 12 weeks [Intervention 15/65 (23.12%), Control 8/60 (13.3%)].

Conclusions:
Recruitment of women from SED districts to a community-based stop-smoking trial is feasible though challenging. Preliminary abstinence rates favoured the intervention. Strategies are needed to improve retention in advance of a definitive effectiveness trial.