10,000 stub out smoking in Lothians

NHS Lothian upped its smoking cessation programme in 2009 with increased investment and public health focus on the issue.

Around 40 per cent of those signing up for help are managing to stay smoke-free.

Other health boards are now looking at how staff here managed to convince so many people to finally ditch the habit.

Rates here compare favourably to other areas of Scotland, some of which have used cash incentives.

Helena Connelly, smoking cessation co-ordinator for NHS Lothian, said: "We are delighted to see this increase in people choosing to quit.

"More people are realising the massive benefits stopping smoking has for their health now and in their later lives."

By the end of September, more than 9000 people had "successful outcomes", according to a health board report.

With the Scottish Government dictating that 11,000 should have quit by the end of March, sources said they were well past five figures.

A successful outcome is judged as someone who has been smoke-free for a month.

The chief executive of Edinburgh anti-tobacco charity ASH Scotland, Sheila Duffy, said: "These statistics suggest that the public health messages are getting through.

"Quitting smoking is very rewarding in terms of better health and the amount of money saved and I am delighted to see that around 40 per cent of those who stopped had remained stopped."

NHS Lothian extended the availability of smoking cessation to high street pharmacies, meaning smokers could attend without being in the pressured setting of a hospital or clinic.

Dr James Cant, head of the British Lung Foundation in Scotland, said: "When funding priorities are under scrutiny we all need to work hard to ensure this type of support is readily available. The role of smoking cessation is vital."

HOW TO KICK THE HABIT

A RANGE of NHS services is available for smokers looking to kick the habit.

Group sessions: Smokers of similar backgrounds brought together to quit as part of a team effort.

Counselling: A series of one-to-one support sessions run by trained therapists.

Targeted intervention: A move which has been particularly successful of late, and sees groups such as ethnic minorities and pregnant women specifically earmarked for intensive help.

Drugs: Some medication can be prescribed to those who haven't responded to psychotherapy. These include drugs that ease tobacco craving such as Zyban, or Champix, which makes smoking feel unpleasant.

Nicotine patch/gum: Slowly releases lower levels of nicotine into the system to wean the smoker off the drug.

Hypnosis: A controversial tactic, it literally involves a hypnotist instructing the "patient" to stop smoking.