Self-referral is as easy as texting the word BREATHE , and with many local GPs sending regular SMS with our contact details to their patients who are recorded as smokers , most referrals are selfreferrals .
instance , almost half of people surveyed thought that their nicotine dependence should be addressed early on in their treatment . However , practitioners who smoked were more likely to question the importance of nicotine dependence treatment for the people they worked with . Most practitioners also thought that nicotine dependence treatment should be put off until later or after the primary addiction treatment .
The same survey identified that 70 per cent of practitioners reported ever smoking , with 45 per cent reporting still smoking . As we ’ re commissioned to support those who live , work or study in Redbridge , this includes our colleagues . In line with NICE guidelines for employers , we provide those who smoke with an opportunity to access support onsite during their work hours without needing to take time off .
VAPING PATHWAYS An important learning curve for us has been in differentiating our messaging and support pathways for vape . For adult smokers , vaping is a significantly less harmful option for the smoker and those around them , and just one of several nicotine replacement products someone could use to quit smoking .
With emerging and growing concerns nationally about the rise in vaping use among young people – including hospital admissions linked to vape and even exclusion from mainstream school following repeated vaping incidents – the education , treatment and support we provide young people who have never smoked is different from that for smokers . It includes information about the impact on the developing brain , side effects from nicotine withdrawal – such as lack of concentration and irritability – and the financial costs and environmental impact of disposables .
YOUNG PEOPLE We also provide education and advice to those who care for or work with young people . One example of this is how to talk to young people to help them make their own minds up about vaping , and sharing what support is available if they ’ re struggling to stop vaping by themselves . With overlaps with psychoactive substances that young people can use with vape – such as synthetic cannabinoids – we ’ re fortunate to be able to draw on existing partnerships formed by our local young people ’ s drug and alcohol service , Fusion .
Recently we delivered talks on vaping to 1,000 students in a single day , from year 9 to sixth form , and we ’ re also exploring a co-production project with young people to develop the kind of messaging and assets that they would find engaging and effective . Another emerging area is how we can provide a feedback loop to licensing and trading standards where we gain insight into local businesses who are illegally selling vapes to under 18s , and to help young people understand the law in this area – including where they might be selling it to one another .
FUNDING COMMITMENT The government recently announced a commitment to double the funding for local authority smoking cessation services from 2024 and to commission a consultation on measures to tackle the increase in youth vaping . To prepare for the new opportunities and
ambitious targets that could emerge from this funding , we ’ ve created volunteer and apprentice pathways within our team . Our apprentices gain an NVQ Level 3 and the qualifications and experience to become smoking cessation advisors . They also develop subject-matter expertise in working with young people who vape , including those who vape psychoactive substances .
Many service providers create volunteer and apprenticeship opportunities that contribute social value for our local communities . Given the challenges we ’ re all facing in
The best way of keeping smoking on the agenda is to provide the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training ’ s ( NCSCT ) very brief advice ( VBA ) ‘ 30 seconds to save a life ’ intervention
recruitment , and the budgetary impact of relying on locums , these career pathways also build local and organisational capabilities to be more responsive to deliver impactful health and wellbeing services . Helen O ’ Connor is service manager for Via ’ s services in the London Borough of Redbridge
‘ Effective smoking cessation and tobacco control is essential to prevent illness , premature death and reduce inequalities . Residents need easy access to culturally appropriate and confidential support to quit smoking and other forms of tobacco . Recruitment from our local communities is essential to deliver this ambition and the apprenticeship programme is an innovative way to build our public health workforce .’ Sue Matthews – public health consultant at the London Borough of Redbridge
‘ I was always hoping to quit smoking , especially starting a new job in a new recovery service , and this idea materialised quite naturally with support from my colleagues and our Via smoking cessation team just next door . I think the right support and community are the main help in overcoming dependence and habit , and it ’ s amazing to be able to get it all during your work hours . It also helps me to promote smoking cessation among our service users .’ Via Redbridge team member
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