More support needed to help smokers quit
NHS stop smoking services are failing to reach enough people in Wales, it is claimed.
A new Welsh Government report found that 14,750 Welsh smokers were treated by smoking cessation services in the 2016-17 financial year.
It means just 2.91% of the estimated smoking population of Wales made an attempt to quit with help from health professionals in that period.
The Welsh Government’s target is that all health boards must treat 5% of the smoking population.
Andy Glyde, Cancer Research UK’s public affairs manager in Wales, said: “This new report tells us that NHS Stop Smoking Services are failing to reach enough people in Wales.
“It’s crucial that smokers get the best possible help to quit a deadly habit that causes at least 14 different types of cancer.
“How to help smokers stop needs to be at the heart of the Welsh Government’s Tobacco Control Delivery Plan, which is expected later this year.
“We also hope the plan will sign up to Wales becoming tobacco free by 2035.
“With 17% of adults in Wales currently smoking, helping them to give up is essential to the health of our nation.”
The quitting figures for 2016-17 differed between health boards, with just 1.34% of smokers in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board seeking professional help.
In contrast, Cwn Taf University Health Board had the highest proportion of quit attempts (3.96%), followed by Betsi Cadwaladr (3.79%) and Aneurin Bevan (3%).
Worryingly, people with mental health conditions are almost twice as likely to smoke.
Figures show that 36% of those with a long-standing mental health condition or illness smoke, compared to 19% of the general population.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Rhun ap Iorwerth said the figures showed that far more support was needed within mental health services to help people quit smoking.
He said: “These figures show that smoking rates are still far too high among people with mental health conditions, and all too often helping them give up smoking is overlooked in treatment plans.
“Yet tackling smoking must also be regarded as an essential part of recovery.
“While there is much that needs to be done to improve mental health services across the board, there are many positive incremental steps we can make to help those in need and improving the support available to stop smoking is one of them.
“Stopping smoking can have a significant effect on some conditions and experts say it can be just as effective as medication.
“Offering one-size-fits-all services won’t work, and tailored support is crucial, which includes explaining the clinical benefits that stopping smoking will have on the particular mental health condition that a person has and offering step-by-step practical help.”
In April, NHS Wales launched “Help Me Quit” to make it easier for smokers to get support.
Ashley Gould, consultant in public health at Public Health Wales, said she’s been encouraged by the response.
She said: “Nearly seven in 10 smokers in Wales say they would like to quit and break free from the health and money worries that smoking causes.
“We know that the very best way smokers can quit is with NHS help, so the positive reaction from smokers across Wales to Help Me Quit has been fantastic.”