What does the Stop Smoking Service Provide?

The BHSCT Stop Smoking Service encourages staff members who smoke to get in touch – we can help you to stop smoking!

We would especially like to offer our support to staff who are parents/carers, wishing to make this change for their children and comply with this new legislation:

From 1^st February 2022, it will be an offence to smoke in enclosed private vehicles where children are present. If children are present, it will also be an offence for a driver to fail to prevent others from smoking in their vehicle.

• To make a referral for yourself or a colleague simply click here and complete the short referral form.
• Email stopsmoking@belfasttrust.hscni.net or call 02895046714

The Stop Smoking Service at Belfast Trust aims to support patients and staff to achieve the single most important thing they can do to improve their quality of life by stopping smoking. The stop smoking specialist can help patients and staff make sustainable change with the offer of:

• Motivational support – Breaking the habit
• Confidence Building – Weekly Support
• Behavioural Support – Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Smokers are 2 times more likely to succeed at stop smoking with the support of a stop smoking specialist, than if they try to quit unaided.

 Or…  4 times more likely to succeed at stop smoking with the support of a stop smoking specialist AND NRT/stop smoking medication than if they try to quit unaided.

Belfast Trust Smoke Free Policy View Here

NEED HELP QUITTING?  The Stop Smoking Service are here to help

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STOPTOBER

Champion the 28 day Challenge

What is STOPTOBER?

Stoptober is a major annual event to encourage smokers to quit for 28 days in October, with the aim of stopping smoking permanently.

If a smoker remains smoke free for 28 days they become 5 times more likely to quit forever.

This will be the start of a healthier, wealthier and happier person.

Benefits for your Directorate

Can you nominate a directorate ‘champion’ to encourage and support staff within to sign up to the 28 day challenge?

Your directorate will reap the benefits:

• better health for your workforce (smoking remains the UK’s number one cause of preventable illness and premature death, killing half of long-term smokers)
• increased productivity
• a step towards closing the gap of health inequalities (smoking is the number 1 factor in the inequality gap being so wide, especially for our lowest paid staff)
• reduced absence due to sickness. Smokers take 4.4 more days sick leave than non-smokers
• unofficial smoke breaks and additional sick leave taken by smokers are costing UK businesses £8.7 billion annually in lost productivity);
• efficiency and financial savings
• improved staff morale
• a better corporate image for your directorate
• a cleaner environment

How to Refer to the Stop Smoking Service

Need to Refer a Patient to the Stop Smoking Service?

Here’s how…follow the easy steps outlined in in this Video

Did you know using an NHS Specialist Stop Smoking Service means a smoker is 4 times more likely to quit smoking.

Belfast Trust Stop Smoking Service specialists offer help and support to stop smoking for all patients including in General, Maternity and Mental health areas.  Belfast Trust staff can also access support and 12 weeks free Nicotine Replacement Therapy if appropriate.

Quit Tips

• Avoid situations where you smoke
• Get rid of smoking accessories
• Get help and support from a smoking cessation service near you
• Pick a day to quit
• Choose alternate activities to replace the habit
• Buy something special with the money you have saved
• Take it one day at a time.

If you are considering stopping smoking and you are neither a staff member nor a patient of Belfast Trust, you can still access the free support funded by the Public Health Agency. Log on to www.stopsmokingni.info and on their home page you can input your postcode. There you will find the nearest community based stop smoking programme in your area. You can also text ‘QUIT’ to 70004 for SMS support.

CO Monitoring in Pregnancy

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. When tobacco products are burnt, CO is produced, absorbed in the lungs and enters the blood stream. This is particularly harmful in pregnancy. Carbon monoxide carried in the mother’s blood passes into the baby’s blood stream, causing considerable risks for both mother and baby. All women are now screened for carbon monoxide at their first antenatal appointment. Link to “Know Your CO” poster.

Electronic Cigarettes

Link to PHA statement (2015):

https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/public-health-agency-pha-has-issued-further-advice-e-cigarettes-help-people-make-informed-decis 

28 Day Stop Smoking Challenge

28 day Stop Smoking Challenge, commencing 1^st October-  find out how you can do this with the support of the Stop Smoking Team.

MakeMarch Your Month To Quit  Week 1 –  4 March 2022 
Make March Your Month To Quit Week 2 –  7 March 2022
Make March Your Month To Quit Week 3 – 14 March 2022 
Make March Your Month To Quit Week 4 –  Beth 24.02.22

Tools & Resources

Apps, MP3 downloads and Useful Web Tools

https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree

Useful websites

www.stopsmokingni.info

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