Stoptober launch for Nottingham hospitals’ smoking patrols
This year’s Stoptober coincides with the first patrols of hospital sites by our Smokefree engagement workers.
Despite the Trust being Smokefree since 2006, smoking continues to be a problem and regularly draws complaints from staff and visitors.
Akin Afolabi and Mohammed Khan will be advising smokers on the support available to help them give up or cut back.
Inpatients and maternity smokers are offered support via the NUH Tobacco Dependency Service, funded by NHS England. They’re offered nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) and can be referred to a 12-week stop smoking programme; staff are offered support via the Smokefree app.
“We are completely non-judgemental,” said Mohammed. “We know the hospital can be a stressful place, for staff, patients, and visitors alike – anything can happen in a day – we’re not there to remove smokers from the site, but just to make them aware of what support is available.”
Akin added: “We are aware that the situation isn’t something we can change overnight but in time I hope we have a positive impact on smoking at the hospitals and the health of the wider community.”
Smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death in England – linked to more than 60,000 deaths each year. Between 2019 and 2020, 448,000 hospital admissions in England were attributable to smoking – at a cost of almost £2bn a year to the NHS.
Becky Boardman, 30, knows only too well how smoking can take a grip on someone’s life. She started smoking at 19 “because all my friends were doing it.”
But a year ago Becky – who is an NUH maternity patient - had had enough of her 20-a-day habit: “I thought, why am I wasting money on something I’m not enjoying anymore?
“I went cold turkey. But I was really struggling, so I bought a rechargeable vape. It’s a substitute for my nicotine cravings – plus it gives me something to do with my hands.”
Becky has cut down on vaping since she discovered she was pregnant; her baby is due in January. But the death of her dad, followed quickly by the death of her aunt has made it tough for her to stop.
Zahida said: “When women have received incorrect information and they stop vaping, this can often lead them back to smoking. Vaping is an evidence-based tool to support quitting in pregnancy.”
And Becky agrees. “I do regret ever starting smoking but would happily spark up tomorrow if I could,” said Becky. “I still miss it.”
Akin and Mohammed will signpost people to smoking cessation initiatives and support using the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training’s (NCSCT) Very Brief Advice (VBA) method. VBA is a life-saving intervention that triggers people to try to quit, and is recommended as evidence-based and cost-effective by the National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE).
“Stoptober can serve as an excellent motivator because it provides a clear, time-bound goal, giving participants a sense of achievement once they complete the period,” said Akin. “It creates a supportive environment, with thousands of people quitting together, which can significantly boost motivation and success rates.”
Stoptober has helped more than 2.5m people give up smoking since its launch by Public Health England 12 years ago. Research shows that smokers are five times more likely to quit smoking if they join in Stoptober.
Zahida Niazi, Smokefree Lead at NUH, said: “Stoptober is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise awareness of the support that is available for our patients, staff and visitors at NUH. It is great for this Stoptober having our Smokefree Engagement workers around to help boost the awareness. It’s never too late to quit smoking and no need to go it alone, there are lots of options and guidance available. Stoptober is a great stepping stone - give it a try!”
Visit Stop smoking treatments - NHS (www.nhs.uk) to find out more about the support available.
Statistics from GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
National guidance for smoking cessation health professionals.