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“Quitting doesn’t have to be stressful” this No Smoking Day, 10 March
Today is national No Smoking Day (Wednesday 10th March). So, we're encouraging people to seek support to quit smoking which has been shown to improve physical and mental health.
This message to smokers may raise eyebrows, coming as it does at a time of heightened stress for many of us following a year of covid. This past year has caused many of us stress and mental distress, with some smokers likely to be smoking more, or more likely to have started smoking again following a period of quitting.
But the good news is that the chances of successfully quitting are has high as they’ve ever been. This No Smoking Day we want to remind smokers that, with the right stop smoking aids and support, quitting can be less stressful than they fear and can ultimately improve their physical health and sense of wellbeing.
Zahida Niazi, Smoke Free Lead at NUH said: “We know that for many of our patients, including those undergoing surgery, quitting smoking is one of the best things they can do for their health and recovery. All of our trust sites – the QMC, City Hospital and Ropewalk House – are smoke free zones, which means that smoking is not permitted anywhere on hospital grounds. We want to encourage patients to take up the support we have put in place to help them quit smoking.
“It’s also really important for patients, visitors and staff to remember that we treat many vulnerable patients, including those with respiratory problems, cystic fibrosis, pregnant women and babies and small children. Smoking anywhere on our hospital sites isn’t permitted, but we are especially calling on people not to smoke around entrances or in places where these vulnerable patients have to pass by and breathe second hand smoke.
"We have smoking cessation advisors in our hospitals to help any patients and staff members who wish to be supported to quit smoking. This work has successfully helped many people to quit in recent months”.
Paul, who works in the Trust’s Pharmacy service said: “I enrolled on a smoking cessation program that was on offer in the trust through Smoke free. This entailed using a prescribed drug called Champix over a three month period. I started this program in October and finished in December.
“The drug worked to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. I did experience some side effects during the 3 months but all in all these were bearable in light of the overall outcome of stopping smoking.
“After the first week I had stopped needing to smoke any cigarettes, but carried on with the full 3 month program. It is now three months since the Champix program finished, and I have had no relapses or cravings to want to smoke again. I feel physically fitter and able to do more exercise, as well as being generally more confident that I am free of cigarettes.”
Vicky May, a new mum and Midwife at the QMC, said: “As a mum and a midwife, I feel it is important that everyone has the choice of a smoke free, healthier environment for their families, friends, patients and colleagues. Having to walk through second hand smoke at hospital entrances isn’t nice, especially as a pregnant woman.
“If you feel you would like support to stop smoking, please speak to your health care provider. It’s never too late to stop”.
Many smokers who have made attempts to quit will be familiar with the immediate impact of quitting including withdrawal symptoms that worsen their sense of mental wellbeing. This could be increased irritability and a heightened sense of depression. The good news is that these symptoms rarely exceed 2 – 4 weeks, and using stop smoking aids correctly will reduce these. Research has shown that those who have been able to quit for more than six weeks are happier and experience less anxiety and depression than those who carry on smoking. Many have also reported improvements in their mental health1.
As a trust we are following relevant guidance and various measures are in place to address the issue. All smokers admitted to hospital are referred to local stop-smoking services for support following discharge. Smokers admitted are also offered stop-smoking medications and behavioural support.
We also have on-site outpatient stop smoking clinics where patients can be referred following their outpatient appointments.
Dr Keith Girling, Medical Director at NUH, said: “NUH has a smoke free policy that seeks to protect patients and staff from the harmful effects of breathing cigarette smoke. Our policy states that smoking is not allowed anywhere on our grounds.
“We would ask all visitors and patients at our hospitals to be mindful of the people around them and ask those who smoke not to do so on any of our hospital sites to help us protect our patients, visitors and staff from second-hand smoke.”
No Smoking Day is an opportunity for smokers to take back some control during a very difficult time. Smokers are asked to search smokefree to find support to make a quit attempt, or visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree.
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