THE Western Trust is offering smokers a free and flexible stop smoking service that is supported and run by specialist stop smoking practitioners.
Smoking Cessation Clinics offer ongoing support, help develop a personal quit plan based on the individual’s needs and provide information on medications, withdrawal symptoms and coping strategies.
Weekly Drop-in clinics are available in the following areas:
• Derry, carnhill Resource Centre, Monday from 6 – 7.30pm
• Enniskillen, Room15 South West Acute Hospital, Monday 6 – 7.30pm.
• Omagh Post Graduate Centre, Tyrone County Hospital, Tuesday 6.30- 8pm
• Strabane Health Centre, Wednesday 5 – 6.30pm
The free help provided through these specialist services can improve the chance of stopping successfully by up to four times compared to a smoker trying to stop on their own.
As of March 2015, the Smoking Cessation Team received approximately 1,800 referrals per year in the Western Trust are with 1,400 of those referred setting a quit date. The Team had a success rate of 68% at four weeks.
Karen Harper, Smoking Cessation Specialist for the Western Trust said: “Research constantly shows smoking to be the single most preventable cause of illness and preventable death with 2,300 people dying each year from smoking related diseases in Northern Ireland.
“Our smoking cessation team has developed an effective evidence-based service that assists individuals who wish to quit smoking through adopting a non-judgmental, supportive, empathetic and flexible approach.”
She added: “As a nurse I see the damage smoking does and I also see the health benefits of stopping smoking.
“The positive effects start immediately after the smoker puts out their final cigarette. After only 20 minutes; blood pressure returns to normal and after six months the risk of heart attack, cancer and other ‘smoking’ diseases falls.
“Most smokers underestimate the effectiveness of professional help, but more people succeed with our Specialist Stop Smoking service than with any other way.
“I would encourage anyone motivated to stop smoking to come along – the sooner you stop, the sooner your health will start to improve.”
Sheila Campbell, who successfully stopped smoking through the help of the clinic said: “After developing a persistent cough and becoming out of breath easily, I finally went to a doctor who told me I had the lungs of an 80 year old and was on the verge of lung disease. The doctor advised me to try out the clinic and after six weeks of visiting I had successfully stopped smoking.”
Anyone who wants to know more about stopping smoking can call the local helpline on 0800 9179388 where they can speak to a member of the Smoking Cessation Team.
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