HALF of Donegal smokers
have not taken a "single puff" of a cigarette since
their last appointment with a free HSE quitting
service.
A new survey of 135 smokers in the county shows that
6 per cent of respondents admitted smoking "just a
few puffs" since their last appointment with the
Donegal Smoking Cessation Service.
A further 12 per cent reported smoking 1-5
cigarettes with more than a quarter (27 per cent)
saying they had smoked "more than five cigarettes"
since their last appointment.
Eighty per cent of respondents said they were either
“satisfied” or "very satisfied” with the support
they received to quit smoking.
Meanwhile, the majority (92 per cent) said they
would recommend the service to other smokers.
Smoking cessation advisor, Fiona Boyle, said the HSE
was "very satisfied" with the results of the survey
and had already taken on board the recommendations.
"Tobacco addiction is a chronic relapsing disease so
we are delighted that the majority of clients would
be happy to return to the service as relapse is a
normal part of dealing with any behaviour change."
One client described the free service as
"fantastic".
"They were non-judgemental and felt like a friend
rather than a professional person - made me feel
very welcome." Another added: “Satisfied with
service in every way only sorry that I didn't use it
earlier."
The Donegal Smoking Cessation Service is a free and
confidential service provided by the HSE in hospital
and community settings throughout the county.
The service is also available to the general public
as well as health service patients and staff.
It offers intensive one-to-one support to help a
client quit smoking. Follow-up support, either by
phone or in person, is provided for the next year,
or longer if required. This follow up contact is
made weekly or fortnightly for the first three
months, and subsequently every month for the rest of
the year. Clients can self-refer or be referred by
any health professional. On admission to hospitals,
patients who use tobacco are offered smoking
cessation support throughout their stay, with
further support available after they are discharged
from hospital. You can contact the Donegal Smoking
Cessation Service on 087 2514790 or visit
www.quit.ie . |
